Section 155. PROVIDENCE[1] VINDICATING THE INNOCENT.
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Section 155. PROVIDENCE[1] VINDICATING THE INNOCENT.
It is (S. 2, N. 1) recorded in history that a beautiful maiden named Blanche, the serf of[2] an ancient nobleman, was wooed[3] by her master’s son. Not[4] admiring his character, she scorned[5] his suit. Upon this his course of love turned[6] to bitter hatred. Just[7] then a precious string of pearls confided (S. 7, N. 3, B) to the maiden’s care was[8] lost. Her pseudo-lover[9] charged her with the theft, and, in[10] accordance with the customs of that rude age, she was doomed to die. On the day of the execution, as the innocent girl knelt to offer[11] her dying prayer, a[12] flash of lightning struck a statue of Justice, which adorned the market-place, to the dust. From[13] a destroyed bird’s nest, built (S. 7, N. 3, A, and S. 48, N. 6) in a crevice of the image[14], dropped the lost[15] pearls, thus[16] declaring the maiden’s innocence. In a moment the exultant crowd rushed to the scaffold, demanding her release. There she knelt beside the block, pale and beautiful, and with a smile of peace upon her lips. They (S. 134, N. 4) spoke[17]—she answered not. They touched her—she was dead! To preserve her memory they raised a statue there[18]; and to[19] this day, when[20] men gaze upon her image, they condemn her oppressor; they praise her for the purity of her character; they recognise the justice of Him whose[21] lightning testified her innocence.—W. Smith.