Chapter 8

           Wepassedafewsadhoursuntileleveno’clock,whenthetrialwastocommence.Myfatherandtherestofthefamilybeingobligedtoattendaswitnesses,Iaccompaniedthemtothecourt.DuringthewholeofthiswretchedmockeryofjusticeIsufferedlivingtorture.Itwastobedecidedwhethertheresultofmycuriosityandlawlessdeviceswouldcausethedeathoftwoofmyfellowbeings:oneasmilingbabefullofinnocenceandjoy,theotherfarmoredreadfullymurdered,witheveryaggravationofinfamythatcouldmakethemurdermemorableinhorror.Justinealsowasagirlofmeritandpossessedqualitieswhichpromisedtorenderherlifehappy;nowallwastobeobliteratedinanignominiousgrave,andIthecause!AthousandtimesratherwouldIhaveconfessedmyselfguiltyofthecrimeascribedtoJustine,butIwasabsentwhenitwascommitted,andsuchadeclarationwouldhavebeenconsideredastheravingsofamadmanandwouldnothaveexculpatedherwhosufferedthroughme.

           TheappearanceofJustinewascalm.Shewasdressedinmourning,andhercountenance,alwaysengaging,wasrendered,bythesolemnityofherfeelings,exquisitelybeautiful.Yetsheappearedconfidentininnocenceanddidnottremble,althoughgazedonandexecratedbythousands,forallthekindnesswhichherbeautymightotherwisehaveexcitedwasobliteratedinthemindsofthespectatorsbytheimaginationoftheenormityshewassupposedtohavecommitted.Shewastranquil,yethertranquillitywasevidentlyconstrained;andasherconfusionhadbeforebeenadducedasaproofofherguilt,sheworkeduphermindtoanappearanceofcourage.Whensheenteredthecourtshethrewhereyesrounditandquicklydiscoveredwherewewereseated.Atearseemedtodimhereyewhenshesawus,butshequicklyrecoveredherself,andalookofsorrowfulaffectionseemedtoattestherutterguiltlessness.