Her pale cheeks suddenly became one flame of fire; and she covered her face with her hands. When she took them away, her palms were wet with scalding tears.
"Oh how low I am fallen that they should say that of me! I could not have been so brave for any one else, just because he was so utterly indifferent to me--if, indeed, I do not positively dislike him. It made me the more anxious that there should be fair play on each side; and I could see what fair play was. It was not fair," said she vehemently, "that he should stand there--sheltered, awaiting the soldiers, who might catch those poor maddened creatures as in a trap--without an effort on his part, to bring them to reason. And it was worse than unfair for them to set on him as they threatened. I would do it again, let who will say what they like of me. If I saved one blow, one cruel, angry action that might otherwise have been committed, I did a woman's work. Let them insult my maiden pride as they will--I walk pure before God!"

Her pale cheeks suddenly became one flame of fire; and she covered her face with her hands. When she took them away, her palms were wet with tears.
'Oh, how low I am fallen that they should say that of me! I could be so brave for him, just because he was so utterly indifferent to me - if, indeed, I do not positively dislike him. It made me anxious that there should be fair play on each side; and it was not fair,' said she, vehemently, 'that he should stand there awaiting the soldiers, who might catch those poor maddened creatures as in a trap - without any effort on his part to bring them to reason. And it was worse than unfair for them to attack him. I would do it again. If I saved one blow, one cruel, angry action, I did a woman's work. Let them insult me as they will - I walk pure before God!'
