"I admit nothing of the sort!" said Haskins bluntly: then added, in a diplomatic manner: "Did I know where that poor girl was I would look her up and marry her to-morrow."
"I don't think that lunatic marriages are legal," yawned Mrs. Crosbie. "In spite of what you say, the girl must be guilty. The jury brought in a verdict of wilful murder, and she should be hanged. As it is, owing to her insanity, I presume she will be shut up in an asylum."
"Then the Major will be pleased, I expect," said Gerald grimly.
"No; he will not. He is very sorry about the affair. It has brought his name before the public in a most unpleasant manner. Luckily, everyone knows how well he behaved in looking after the girl. He got nothing for doing it."
Haskins started, and wondered if it would be wise to reveal the real terms which existed between Mavis and her guardian. If Mrs. Crosbie did not know how Rebb earned his income--if it could be called earning--he was certainly marrying her under false pretenses. For the moment Gerald was inclined to blurt out the truth: but, remembering how Mrs. Crosbie had taken his last confidence, he resolved to hold his tongue about the money question, and to let the widow and her admirer adjust their own private affairs.
Meanwhile the widow had gone to the tea-table, which had just been set, and was talking, while she poured out the tea. "I hope that you have got over your infatuation for that girl, Gerald. You will never see her again. I expect she is dead; fell into a pit, or a river, or something, when she ran away after committing murder. Poor thing! it is a lucky business for her that she is dead."
"Mrs. Crosbie," said Gerald, ceremoniously taking a cup of tea, "you will insist that Miss Durham killed her nurse. I believe from the bottom of my heart that she is innocent."
"Oh, of course you would, being in love," said Mrs. Crosbie, with a shrug, "but, if she is innocent, who is guilty? Major Rebb?"
"No, I do not accuse him."
"How good of you, my dear Gerald."