The universal tongue had the desired effect. The chief of the guard
allowed it to persuade him to convey Paula to prison in the chariot, and
to promise that she should find decent accommodation there, while he also
granted old Betta the leave she insisted on with floods of tears, to
share the girl's captivity.

Paula maintained her dignity and composure under this unexpected shock.
Only when it came to taking leave of Pulcheria and Mary, who clung to her
in frantic grief and begged to go with her and Betta to prison, she could
not restrain her tears.

The scribe had informed her that she was charged dy Bishop Plotinus with
having plotted the escape and flight of the nuns, and Joanna's knees
trembled under her when Paula whispered in her ear:

"Beware of Katharina! No one else could have betrayed us; if she has
also revealed what Rufinus did for the sisters we must deny it,
positively and unflinchingly. Fear nothing: they will get not a word out
of me." Then she added aloud: "I need not beg you to remember me
lovingly; thanks to you both--the warmest, deepest thanks for all....
You, Pul. . . ." And she clasped the mother and daughter to her bosom,
while Mary, clinging to her, hid her little face in her skirts, weeping
bitterly. . . . "You, Dame Joanna, took me in, a forlorn creature, and
made me happy till Fate fell on us all--you know, ah! you know too well.
--The kindness you have shown to me show now to my little Mary. And
there is one thing more--here comes the interpreter again!--A moment yet,
I beg!--If the messenger should return and bring news of my father or,
my God! my God!--my father himself, let me know, or bring him to me!--Or,
if I am dead by the time he comes, tell him that to find him, to see him