"Yes, my child, I can swear it."

"You did not run off with a gardener?"

"No, my child. Have I not told you that a virtuous girl never runs
away?"

"You did not make papa unhappy, and, being his wife, love other
men?"

"No, my daughter."

"Mamma," said the child, after a long pause, "can you give me your
right hand, and swear you did not?"

Louise hesitated a moment; a cold shiver ran through her, she felt
as if she was about to perjure herself; but as she looked into the
beautiful face of her child, whose eyes were fixed on her with a
strange expression, she overcame her unwillingness.

"Here is my hand--I swear that all your father told you is false!"

Camilla laughed gleefully. "Oh, mamma, I have caught you: you always
want me to tell the truth, and never give my right hand when a thing
is not true, and now you have done it yourself."

"What have I done!" said the mother, trembling.

"You gave me your right hand, and swore that all papa told me was
false; and I say it is true, and you have sworn falsely,"