They had driven away from her the confessor, and the maid who had been her counsellor and her reliance from her girlhood.
Her grief and terror were genuine, and therefore pitiful; and, in spite of his annoyance, the doctor recognized the fact.

In a moment, as soon as they were alone, he put aside his anger.

He knelt beside her, he soothed her with tender words, he pleaded the justice of his indignation.

And ere long she began to listen to his excuses, and to complain to him: He had been born a heretic, and therefore might be excused a little, even by Almighty God.

But Antonia! Her sin was beyond endurance.