Was it possible for me to tell him?
"If it was not enough coming from his lips, how could it be coming from mine?" he continued.
Shame and confusion kept me silent.
"Would it be?" he persisted, this time with feeling and something like a hint of eagerness in his voice.
I dared not say "Yes," and yet I must have the assurance I demanded, if ever I was to know peace again.
"You no not answer; but I think, I feel confident you would believe my word, Miss Sterling."
"I have asked for it," I returned.
He turned frightfully pale; it seemed as if he would speak, but the words did not come. I felt, my heart growing sick, and as for him, he started violently away from my side, and took a turn or two up and down the room.
"I cannot deny what looks like an accusation," he declared at last, coming and standing before me with a sombre but determined air. "My pride alone is sufficient to deter me. Will you accept from me any thing less. I am not such a man as my brother."
"I will accept your assurance that as the true friend to Ada Reynolds I may remain in this house without stain to her memory or love."