I put on my hat and awaited his reply.  His hat was in his hand, and his face was bent toward the ground, his air of ironical politeness having left him.  Frances turned to him and was about to speak, but, noticing the peculiar expression in his face and attitude, remained silent.  After a long pause Hamilton spoke without lifting his eyes:—­

“I suppose no other man ever received such an arraignment in cold blood as I have just heard from Baron Clyde.”  Then turning hesitatingly to my cousin, “But I am sorry to say it is true, Mistress Jennings, true in every word.”

He looked into my eyes, again bowed his head, and spoke after a long silence:  “Baron Ned, I can almost find it in my heart to thank you for having done your duty so bravely.  I have known for some time that I am not fit to be this lady’s companion and that I have no right to seek her friendship.”

I bowed low, without speaking, and after another long pause he looked up to me again as he asked:—­

“Now will you take my hand?”

“Gladly, George,” I answered, giving him my hand, which he held for a moment and dropped without a word, a strange smile playing about his lips.

Naturally enough, Frances was at a loss how to act.  Tears of vexation came to her eyes, and she turned from us to dry them with her handkerchief.  She failed to find the handkerchief, so she turned to George, who, seeing her need, drew it from his pocket where she had left it for safe-keeping.  The first favor a young girl shows to a man when she finds herself in a “coming on disposition” is to hide some of her intimate personal belongings in his pocket.  The little incident of the handkerchief caused us all to laugh and went a long way toward making us easy.

Hamilton’s frankness had taken part of the wind out of my sails, and his open confession had at least paved the way for absolution, which I feared might be followed by disastrous results, since to forgive always makes the heart grow fonder.

Presently Hamilton turned to Frances, saying:  “You may better appreciate your cousin’s fidelity to your interest when I tell you that in speaking thus frankly to you, he placed himself in danger of two misfortunes, both of which, probably, he felt sure would befall him.  Please do not think that I boast, but it is true, nevertheless, that my sword point is considered one of the most dangerous in England.  Doubtless Baron Ned expected to be called upon to stand by his words.  Furthermore, he is a suitor for my sister’s hand, as you may know, and of late has sought my friendship, in part, no doubt, for the purpose of forwarding his cause.”

At this point he turned toward me and smiled.  I, too, smiled, though not joyously, for I thought surely this affair would ruin all my chances with Mary.

“Therefore,” continued Hamilton, “he had much to lose in arraigning me, and nothing to gain but your welfare.  You must see that it was unselfishly done.  If there is gratitude in your heart, give it here.”  He placed his hand on my shoulder and, after a long pause and an apparent effort, finished what he had to say:  “Forget me.  I am unworthy to speak your name or to have the great joy of hearing you speak mine.”