The prisoner's continued calmness filled to overflowing the exasperation of this man so sure of his guilt.

His spite was evident to all, when, suddenly ceasing his wheedling, he harshly gave the order to re-conduct the prisoner to his cell.
"I will compel him to confess!" he muttered between his teeth.
Perhaps he regretted those gentle instruments of investigation of the middle ages, which compelled the prisoner to say whatever one wished to hear.

Never, thought he, did any one ever meet a culprit like this.

What could he reasonably hope for from his system of persistent denial?
This obstinacy, absurd in the presence of such absolute proofs, drove the magistrate into a rage.

Had Albert confessed his guilt, he would have found M.Daburon disposed to pity him; but as he denied it, he opposed himself to an implacable enemy.
It was the very falseness of the situation which misled and blinded this magistrate, naturally so kind and generous.