"I forgive you," said Robert; "and I accept your offer to serve me."
"And so do I," said Helen. "Indeed, it is not us you have wronged. But oh, I am glad, for Nancy's sake, that you repent."
"Miss, I'll go through fire and water for you," said Wylie, lifting up his head.
Here old Michael came in to say that Arthur Wardlaw was at the door, with a policeman.
"Show him in," said Robert.
"Oh, no, Robert!" said Helen. "He fills me with horror."
"Show him in," said Robert, gently. "Sit down, all of you."
Now Burt had not told Arthur who was in the house, so he came, rather uneasy in his mind, but still expecting only to see Helen.
Robert Penfold told Helen to face the door, and the rest to sit back; and this arrangement had not been effected one second, when Arthur came in, with a lover's look, and, taking two steps into the room, saw the three men waiting to receive him. At sight of Penfold, he started and turned pale as ashes; but, recovering himself, said: "My dearest Helen, this is indeed an unexpected pleasure. You will reconcile me to one whose worth and innocence I never doubted, and tell him I have had some little hand in clearing him."
His effrontery was received in dead silence. This struck cold to his bones, and, being naturally weak, he got violent. He said, "Allow me to send a message to my servant."