’We cannot misunderstand a person’s words.  Oh yes, I spoke to her, and she answered me; but I must not tell you things in this desultory fashion, or you will never understand.  I have told you that I do not know when my attachment to Miss Hamilton commenced.  It was gradual and imperceptible at first,—­very real, no doubt, but it had not mastered my reason.  I always admired her:  how could I help it?’ with some emotion.  ’Even you, who are not her lover, have owned to me that she is a beautiful creature.  I suppose her beauty attracted me first, until I saw the sweetness and unselfishness of her nature, and from that moment I lost my heart.

’The full consciousness came to me at the time of their trouble about Eric.  I had been fond of the poor fellow, for his own sake as well as hers, but I never disguised his faults from her.  I often told her that I feared for Eric’s future; he had no ballast, it wanted a moral earthquake to steady him, and it was no wonder that his caprices and extravagant moods angered his brother.  She used to be half offended with me for my plain speaking, but she was too gentle to resent it, and she would beg me to use my influence with Hamilton to entreat him not to be so hard on Eric.

’When the blow came, I was always up at Gladwyn once, sometimes twice, a day.  They all wanted me; it was my duty to be their consoler.  I am glad to remember now that I was some comfort to her.’

’Wait a moment, Max; I must ask you something.  Do you believe that Eric was guilty?’

‘I am almost sorry that you have put that question,’ he returned reluctantly.  ’I never would tell her what I thought.  It was all a mystery.  Eric might have been tempted; it was not for me to say.  She could see I was doubtful.  I told her that, whether he were sinned against or sinning, our only thought should be to bring him back and reconcile him to his brother.  “God will prove his innocence if he be blackened falsely,” I said to her; and, strange to say, she forgave me my doubts.’

‘Oh, Max, I see what you think.’

‘How can I help it,’ he replied, ’knowing Eric’s character so well? he was so weak and impulsive, so easily led astray, and then he was under bad influences.  You will have heard Edgar Brown’s name.  He was a wild, dissipated fellow, and Hamilton had a right to forbid the acquaintance; both he and I knew that Edgar had low propensities, and was always lounging about public-houses with a set of loafers like himself.  He has got worse since then, and has nearly broken his mother’s heart.  Do you think any man with a sense of responsibility would permit a youth of Eric’s age to have such a friend?  Yet this was a standing grievance with Eric, and I am sorry to say his sister took Edgar’s part.  Of course she knew no better:  innocence is credulous, and Edgar was a sprightly, good-looking fellow, the sort that women never fail to pet.’

‘Yes, I see.  Eric was certainly to blame in this.’