"As I think you knew, Madame," he continued ironically, "a while back before you spoke." "I?
Oh no, no!" and she swayed in her saddle.

"What--what are you--going to do ?" she muttered after a moment's stricken silence.
"To him ?" "Yes." "The magistrates will decide, at Angers." "But he did not do it! I swear he did not." Count Hannibal shook his head coldly.
"I swear, Monsieur, I took the letters!" she repeated piteously.

"Punish me!" Her figure, bowed like an old woman's over the neck of her horse, seemed to crave his mercy.
Count Hannibal smiled.
"You do not believe me ?" "No," he said.

And then, in a tone which chilled her, "If I did believe you," he continued, "I should still punish him!" She was broken; but he would see if he could not break her further.

He would try if there were no weak spot in her armour.