Then Olivia answered in a veritable whisper, but with the same sweet and dignified seriousness, “Yes, Mr. Brander.”
She might reasonably have expected some acknowledgement of the gracious, womanly daring of this speech; but instead of giving any sign of gratitude, Mr. Brander, to her astonishment, turned upon her quite sharply.
“Well, that’s quixotic, illogical, pretty perhaps from a boarding-school young lady’s point of view, but not worthy of a woman of sense.”
Olivia was surprised, but she was true woman enough to have her answer.
“I think I can justify it,” she said, holding her head back rather obstinately.
“Very well. Justify yourself for being ready to make friends with a man believed to have committed a very atrocious and cowardly murder.”
Olivia looked at him full and earnestly.
“I don’t believe——” she began, doubtfully.
“You don’t believe what?”
“That you—ever—did it.”