'Oh me! Must I say?'
'Why not? None here will blame you. I cannot.'
So Rhoda faltered out how she too had entertained a wicked suspicion.
'What evidence then routed it?'
'His.'
'His evidence?'
'His denial.'
Her sincerity was beyond question; her simplicity commanded respect; no ingenuity could have spoken better to his credit. Yet all was vain.
'Bare denial may not suffice for us, when furthermore without valid cause he has refused any clear statement to satisfy a reasonable demand, and quibbled and defied.'
'Give me a moment's grace,' pleaded Christian, 'to make sure if I can go no further.'