Lady Meredith only laughed; and St. Aubyn returning soon after, nothing more passed. When the opera was over, and St. Aubyn and Ellen were alone in the carriage, he still appeared so restless and agitated, that Ellen could not resist addressing to him a few words, indicative of curiosity, if not of alarm. For a time he evaded her tender inquiries; but, at length, grasping her hands with an action expressive of the utmost emotion, he again repeated his former words: "Remember, Ellen, oh, remember that I too am innocent!"
"I know it, I am sure of it," she returned: "but why thus confide by halves? Why torture yourself and me by these mysterious hints?"
"Ah, why indeed!" said he: "I ought to have more command of myself: but that scene—that fatal instrument of a horrid deed!—Appearances how false, yet how convincing!"
"To me," she replied, "appearances are not and never shall be any thing, when opposed to your single assertion, to my confidence in your integrity."
"A thousand thousand thanks," he replied, "for the sweet assurance! Soon, too soon, perhaps, you will be tried!"
"Demanding so much reliance, so much implicit confidence from his wife, under such mysterious conduct, was St. Aubyn willing, if called upon, to grant an equal share to her?"
CHAP. VII.
Think'st thou I'll make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh surmises?—No; to be once in doubt
Is to be resolv'd——
I'll see before I doubt; what I doubt prove.