as though to justify himself.

"Of course, of course, my friend. One's eyes are open, and one sees what
one sees, without looking for it. Proceed."

"As I looked down I saw Madame with a man's arms round her, and his lips
to hers. It was not Jean Jacques."

"Of course, of course. Proceed. What did you do?"

"I stopped. I fell back--"

"Of course. Behind a tree?"

"Behind some elderberry bushes."

"Of course. Elderberry bushes--that's better than a tree. I am very
fond of elderberry wine when it is new. Proceed."

The Clerk of the Court shrank. What did it matter whether or no the
Judge liked elderberry wine, when the world was falling down for Jean
Jacques and his Zoe--and his wife. But with a sigh he continued: "There
is nothing more. I stayed there for awhile, and then crept up the hill
again, and came back to my home and locked myself in."

"What had you done that you should lock yourself in?"

"Ah, monsieur, how can I explain such things? Perhaps I was ashamed that
I had seen things I should not have seen. I do not blush that I wept for
the child, who is--but you saw her, monsieur le juge."