Imprisonment is not calculated to raise a man's spirits, consequently poor Myles, having now been shut up for some weeks, was in rather a dismal frame of mind. Norwood informed him from time to time of the discoveries that were being made, so, in spite of his quixotic ideas concerning the promise he had made to Lady Balscombe, there seemed every chance that he would soon be released from his perilous position.
After the discovery that Lady Balscombe was dead and not Lena Sarschine, Norwood, accompanied by May Penfold, went to tell Myles about it in the hope that this being the case he would now tell all about his interview with the deceased, and thus possibly throw some light on the mystery. Myles was delighted to see May and clasped her fondly to his breast, while Norwood, finding the meeting of two lovers somewhat trying, busied himself with his notes at the other end of the cell.
"I knew you would not forsake me, May," said Myles, tenderly, "you at least do not believe me guilty."
"Of course not," replied May, "nor does anyone else--Mr. Dowker, my guardian and Mr. Ellersby all swear you are innocent."
"Ellersby!" said Myles in surprise, "I thought after meeting me on that night he would think I had committed the crime."
"Well, he does not!"
"I did not think Ellersby would prove such a friend," said Desmond heartily.
"I don't know if you'll consider him so much of a friend when I tell you he wants to marry me."
"What! marry you!"
"Yes! he came yesterday morning to see me and asked me if I would marry him."