"An innocent man?" said Doctor Louis.
"As innocent as yourself," was Emilius's reply.
[IX.]
Throughout this narration Doctor Louis was impressed by the suspicion that something was hidden from him. He pressed Emilius upon the point, and his suspicion was strengthened by the evasive replies he received.
"Enough, for the present, of myself," said Emilius; "let me hear something of the outside world--of the world that is dead to me."
"What do you wish to know?" asked Doctor Louis sadly.
"Of yourselves," replied Emilius. "Of your good wife, whom I used to look upon as a second mother. She is well?"
"She is well," said Doctor Louis, "but in deep unhappiness because of these terrible events."
"How does she regard me--as innocent or guilty?"
"She has the firmest belief in your innocence. When I told her I was about to visit you, she desired me to give you her love and sympathy."