"Would I tell a lie?" asked the doctor angrily.
"No. But then you are such a friend of my cousin's that you might colour the thing a little."
"And you, who loved the man, who are a relative of the man, ought to colour likewise. Instead of that, you offer a reward to hang him."
Terrified by the good doctor's vehemence, Maud broke down sobbing----
"I am sure I want to do what is right," she cried, from behind the flimsy handkerchief. "No one would be better pleased than I to think that Angus was guiltless."
"You ought to clear his character, and marry him."
"Marry him." Maud's handkerchief dropped in amazement.
"Yes. He is your cousin, and should share in this wealth, which is too much for you alone. And then he would make you a much better husband than this man Kyles, who comes from no one knows where, and is a rank adventurer, if ever I saw one."
"You had better not let Bruce hear you say that," threatened Maud. "He is in the house now, With Mrs. Mountford."
"Ah, where the carcass is, there the vultures gather. I would say to him what I say to you with the utmost confidence, Miss Tedder. I wish to be your friend, and as I am not a marrying man, you can see that I have no eye to your money. But you are a young girl and have no one to counsel you but Mrs. Mountford, who does not always give good advice. You should believe in the innocence of your cousin against all evidence, and clear his character, and----"