"Because?" repeated Dexter.
"Because I still love him."
"Heathcote?"
"Yes."
His face changed sharply, yet he continued his urging. "Even if you do love him, you would not marry him now."
She did not answer.
"You would not marry him with poor Helen's blood between you?"
"It is not between us. He is innocent."
"But if, after escaping conviction, it should yet be made clear to you—perhaps to you alone—that he was guilty, then would you marry him?"
"No. But the very greatness of his crime would make him in a certain way sacred to me on account of the terrible remorse and anguish he would have to endure."