“Most certainly not!” he answered boldly. “I had nothing to do with his mission, and never dreamed of such a thing. Who suggested that to you—Lord Southwick?”
She shook her head.
“I never spoke to him on the matter; indeed, I haven’t met him since the wedding, but it was suggested.”
“Devene, then, I suppose. It is just like one of his dirty tricks.”
But Edith only answered: “Then it is not true?”
“I have told you; it is a damnable lie!”
“I am glad to hear it, Dick, for otherwise I could never have forgiven you. To be quite honest, I don’t think I behaved well to Rupert in letting him go out there alone, and if I were sure that it was through you that all this was brought about for your own ends—and jealous men have done such things since David, you know—why then—”
“Then what?”
“Then, Dick, we shouldn’t talk any more about the matter. Indeed, I am not certain that we should talk at all, for at least he was an honest man who loved me, and his blood would be on your hands, and through yours on mine.”
“If that’s all, they are clean enough,” replied Dick, with a laugh which some people might have considered rather forced; “almost as clean as your own, Edith,” and stretching forward, he laid his hand by hers upon her dress.