"Nothing; but from what I've seen of her since I'm sure she always was good."
"Did she never mention her former life at all?"
"Never; but, mind, I hold to my faith in her, and would stake my salvation on her integrity," said Herbert, warmly.
"Then you'd lose it, lad, that's all; but I have an explanation to make to you, Herbert. You must give me a minute or two of your company alone, in the library, before tea."
And so saying, Major Warfield arose and led the way across the hall to the library, that was immediately back of the back drawing-room.
Throwing himself into a leathern chair beside the writing-table, he motioned for his companion to take the one on the opposite side. A low fire smoldering on the hearth before them so dimly lighted the room that the young man arose again to pull the bell rope; but the other interrupted with:
"No, you need not ring for lights, Herbert! my story is one that should be told in the dark. Listen, lad; but drop your eyes the while."
"I am all attention, sir!"
"Herbert, the poet says that—
"'At thirty man suspects himself a fool,
Knows it at forty and reforms his rule.'