Aline was sent for and the priest plied her with questions. He was very wily and spoke in a kindly way and tried to lead her on. It was soon very clear that she knew a good deal about the Bible that most people did not know. It was equally clear that, comparatively speaking, she attached little importance to the dogmas and authority of the church. But though unorthodox and heretically inclined, it was difficult to make a case against her from anything she said. The child was so transparently honest that it was impossible to reconcile her position with Thomas’ fabrications. However, this was Father Martin’s first case and he was naturally anxious to prove his zeal for the cause, to his superiors, so he made of it what he could. Not until he had secured every piece of evidence likely to help him, did he broach the subject of the book, which he thought was probably another of Thomas’ fictions. “By the way,” said he, “you have a book that you carry about with you. Show it me.” Aline hesitated. “Shew it me at once,” he said sternly. “I will make her shew it,” said Mistress Mowbray, seizing the child roughly. “You can let her alone, madam,” said the priest. “Child, hand me the book.” Aline drew it forth and he looked at it. He could not read a word of Greek, and at first looked visibly chagrined; but he turned to the title-page, which was in Latin. “Can you read this?” he said. Aline bowed assent. “It is a most pernicious book. How much have you read?” “All the first part and most of the rest.” He wished it had been an English translation, as his case would have been easier. “Have you an English translation?” he asked. “No,” said Aline, and he could see that she spoke the truth. “Who gave it you, or how did you get it?” he asked next. Aline was silent. “Come,” he said, “did you find it, or was it given you?” Aline still held her peace. “I must know this,” he said impatiently, but Aline vouchsafed no reply. “I cannot wait for you,” he went on, his voice rising. “Answer my question this instant.” “I cannot do it,” she said. “By the authority of Mother Church, I command you to speak,” he cried angrily. Aline looked up at him fearlessly, as she sat there opposite to him on the other side of the long narrow table, her beautiful arms stretched over toward him and the delicate fingers moving nervously. The great masses of rich glowing hair flowed in waves over the board, and the perfect oval face with the chin slightly lifted showed the exquisite ivory skin of her throat, subtly changing into the more pearly tones of her face. The sensitive lovely lips with their clear cut form, trembled a little, but she said bravely,--“It would not be right, Father Martin. I am ready to suffer for anything I have done myself, but I cannot reveal what is not my secret.”