"I tell you it is as I say; thrice has his life been in danger; I have irrefragable proofs of what I assert." "And he knows the guilty person?" "At least he believes he does." "And who is this person?" "Myself!" "You?" "So he thinks." "And he has accused you of the fact; and threatened you?" "He has." "With what?" "With being placed in the hands of justice,--dragged before the public tribunals." "No matter; you are innocent." "Still that does not diminish the disgrace of such a report, or the pain and humiliation of being suspected of such a crime." "At least in danger, shame, or disgrace, your poor Iris can accompany you; she will never forsake you; at such a time her devotion and fidelity will be more than ever necessary to you." This savage simplicity made Paula shudder, and opened her eyes to a part of the truth; redoubling, therefore, both her prudence and reserve, she extended her hand to Iris, saying,-- "Doubtless, as you say, at such a time your cares and attentions would be more than ever valuable and soothing to my feelings; still I should refuse them, out of regard for yourself." "Godmother!" "No temptation on earth should induce me to accept them." "And you would reject my services out of regard for my welfare?" "Decidedly; whatever may occur to me, I shall select Marianne or any other attendant to accompany me." "And me? and me?" "I should request the prince to send you back into Germany before the trial, and I feel quite assured he would not refuse to do so." "But, godmother, you bewilder me! I cannot understand your motive in sending me away at a time when all others would fly from and abandon you." "Because your attachment for me is so well known, that it might probably bring you under the suspicion of being my accomplice in those things of which, God knows, I am unjustly accused." "Never mind my being considered your partner in guilt,--I care nothing for the opinion of the whole world, on the contrary, I should glory in having my name associated with yours, either in good or evil." "Still, Iris, I should insist upon your departure. I will not add to the troubles which at present surround me, and to the still more formidable dangers which threaten me, the additional misery of seeing you wretched." For an instant Iris reflected with deep earnestness, while her mistress watched her with close attention. At length the girl continued, in a cold and unnatural tone of voice,-- "Since the prince accuses you, godmother, I will go to him and tell him I am your confederate,--I shall not then be separated from you." Paula shook with dread; she well knew that Iris was fully equal to putting this design into execution. "Unhappy girl!" cried she, "do you not perceive that by styling yourself my accomplice you affirm my guilt; to accuse yourself is to accuse me also, and probably to lead me to a scaffold?" "Be it so; I can then die with you."