"Yes! I knew that you were prejudiced against me owing to the false stories told to you by your father, therefore I wished to make your acquaintance under the name my father took when he was sent away from home. Until a few weeks ago I believed it was my true name. Don't blame me over-much, Gwen," he implored. "After all, I wouldn't have had a fair chance had I come as your cousin."
"Perhaps not," she said softly, and a touch of colour came into her face. "And after all, you saved my life."
"No! No! Let us put all obligation out of the question!" cried Hench resolutely. "I wish to be judged on my merits."
"That will be difficult, seeing what a hero you are," said Madame Alpenny in a hatefully smooth voice.
"Hold your tongue!" cried Gwen, turning on her just as Hench had done. "You came down here to make mischief this time, as you came before to make mischief. How you succeeded before you best know yourself, although I truly believe that your last visit had something to do with my father's death."
"It is a lie!" said Madame Alpenny fiercely, and stepped forward.
Gwen did the same, and the two were face to face, very close indeed to one another. "I believe that it is the truth. But of that we can talk later. As to making mischief this time, you shan't succeed. I quite understand why my cousin wished to give himself a chance of being judged fairly. And, after all, he came under the name his father used for many years."
"Oh, Gwen"--Hench caught her hand--"do you forgive me?"
"You silly fellow, there is nothing to forgive," she replied gently. "You were right, as I was greatly prejudiced against you by my father. But now----"
"Now?" he asked, looking at her anxiously.