He was right, as he always was.  Most engraved gems were oval in form, and the pendant which she had seen and was to give evidence about, was undoubtedly oval.  Then it was not like Orion to require a falsehood of her.  In any case it was her duty to her betrothed to preserve from evil, and prevent him from concluding any alliance with that false Siren.  She knew what she had to say; and she was about to loosen a portion of her veil from her face that she might look Paula steadfastly in the eyes, when Orion came back to fetch her into the hall where the Court was sitting.  To his delight—­nay almost to his astonishment—­she stated with perfect confidence that a gem had been hanging to Paula’s necklace at noon that day; and when the onyx was shown her and she was asked if she remembered the stone, she calmly replied: 

“It may or it may not be the same; I only remember the oval gold back to it:  besides I was only allowed to have the necklace in my hands for a very short time.”

When Nilus, the treasurer, desired her to look more closely at the figures of Eros and Psyche to refresh her memory, she evaded it by saying:  “I do not like such heathen images:  we Jacobite maidens wear different adornments.”

At this Paula rose and stepped towards her with a look of stern reproof; little Katharina was glad now that it had occurred to her to cover her face with a double veil.  But the utter confusion she felt under the Syrian girl’s gaze did not last long.  Paula exclaimed reproach fully:  “You speak of your faith.  Like mine, it requires you to respect the truth.  Consider how much depends on your declaration; I implore you, child. . .”

But the girl interrupted her rival exclaiming with much irritation and vehement excitement: 

“I am no longer a child, not even as compared with you; and I think before I speak, as I was taught to do.”

She threw back her little head with a confident air, and said very decidedly: 

“That onyx hung to the middle of the chain.”

“How dare you, you audacious hussy!” It was Perpetua, quite unable to contain herself, who flung the words in her face.  Katharina started as though an asp had stung her and turned round on the woman who had dared to insult her so grossly and so boldly.  She was on the verge of tears as she looked helplessly about her for a defender; but she had not long to wait, for Orion instantly gave orders that Perpetua should be imprisoned for bearing false witness.  Paula, however, as she had not perjured herself, but had merely invented an impossible tale with a good motive, was dismissed, and her chest was to be replaced in her room.

At this Paula once more stepped forth; she unhooked the onyx from the chain and flung it towards Gamaliel, who caught it, while she exclaimed: