“These words had been pronounced with such enthusiasm and evident truth, that every eye was fixed on the count’s forehead, and he himself passed his hand across it, as if he felt Ali’s blood still lingering there.
‘You positively recognize M. de Morcerf as the officer, Fernand Mondego?’—‘Indeed I do!’ cried Haydée. ‘Oh, my mother, it was you who said, “You were free, you had a beloved father, you were destined to be almost a queen. Look well at that man; it is he who raised your father’s head on the point of a spear; it is he who sold us; it is he who forsook us! Look well at his right hand, on which he has a large wound; if you forgot his features, you would know him by that hand, into which fell, one by one, the gold pieces of the merchant El-Kobbir!” I know him! Ah, let him say now if he does not recognize me!’
Each word fell like a dagger on Morcerf, and deprived him of a portion of his energy; as she uttered the last, he hid his mutilated hand hastily in his bosom, and fell back on his seat, overwhelmed by wretchedness and despair. This scene completely changed the opinion of the assembly respecting the accused count.
—«Conde de Morcerf —dijo el presidente—, no se deje abatir; responda. La justicia del tribunal es suprema e imparcial como la de Dios; no consentirá que sus enemigos lo pisen sin brindarle la oportunidad de defenderse. ¿Deben hacerse más averiguaciones? ¿Deben enviarse dos miembros de la Cámara a Yánina? ¡Hable!»
Morcerf no respondió. Entonces todos los miembros se miraron con terror. Conocían el carácter enérgico y violento del conde; tenía que ser, en verdad, un golpe terrible aquel que le arrebataba el valor para defenderse. Esperaban que a su silencio estupefacto le siguiera un arrebato furioso.
—«Bien —preguntó el presidente—, ¿cuál es su decisión?»