"
"So I thought, my own love--my own high-minded right-thinking
darling--so I thought; and here I stay to answer my accusers. But
the fatality of the circumstances is such that--in truth, I see
little hope of clearing myself, save by the possible discovery of
the causes that led to this terrible death."
"Was there anything to show how she--that is, I mean, whether she--
died by violence?" asked Paolina.
"Nothing--nothing whatever. As we saw the body under the city
gateway, when the men who found it brought it in, there was not the
smallest trace of violence visible. She lay as if, save for the
deadly pallor of her face, she might have been still sleeping. And I
am most anxious for the medical examination of the body. It may be
that they will be able to discover that death was produced by some
natural cause."
"Surely that is the most likely. Had any robbery been committed?"
asked Paolina thoughtfully.
"None--none whatever; and she had valuables exposed on her person
which were untouched. This is one of the worst circumstances against
me; as it excludes the idea of the dead having been done by common
malefactors for the sake of plunder."
"And no marks of violence? It must have been a natural death; such
things do happen. I remember hearing of a case-"
"I must go, darling; I must leave you.
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