e
assassin?"

I paused. What could I reply? Surely it was best to be open and
straightforward. So I told her that I had not been alone in the
suspicion, and that Ambler Jevons had shared it with me.

"Ah! that accounts for his marvellous ingenuity in watching me. For
weeks past he has seemed to be constantly near me, making inquiries
regarding my movements wherever I went. You both suspected me. But is
it necessary that I should assert my innocence of such a deed?" she
asked. "Are you not now convinced that it was not my hand that struck
down old Mr. Courtenay?"

"Forgive me," I urged. "The suspicion was based upon ill-formed
conclusions, and was heightened by your own peculiar conduct after the
tragedy."

"That my conduct was strange was surely natural. The discovery was
quite as appalling to me as to you; and, knowing that somewhere among
the dead man's papers my letters were preserved, I dreaded lest they
should fall into the hands of the police and thereby connect me with
the crime. It was fear that my final letter should be discovered that
gave my actions the appearance of guilt."

I took both her hands in mine, and fixing my gaze straight into those
dear eyes wherein the love-look shone--that look by which a man is
able to read a woman's heart--I asked her a question.

"Ethelwynn," I said, calmly and seriously, "we love each other. I know
I've been suspicious without cause and cruel in my neglect;
nevertheless the separation has quickened my affection, and has shown
that to me life without you is impossible. You, darling, are the only
woman who has entered my life. I have championed no woman save
yourself; by no ties have I been bound to any woman in this world.
This I would have you believe, for it is the truth. I could not lie to
you if I would; it is the truth--God is my witness."

She made me no answer. Her hands trembled, and she bowed her head so
that I could not see her face.

"Will you not forgive, dearest?" I urged. The great longing to speak
out my mind had overcome me, and having eased myself of my burden I
stood awaiting her response. "Will you not be mine again, as in the
old days before this chain of tragedy fell upon your house?"

Again she hesitated for several minutes. Then, of a sudden, she lifted
her tear-stained face towards me, all rosy with blushes and wearing
that sweet look which I had known so well in the happy days bygone.

"If you wish it, Ralph," she faltered, "we will forg