"To proclaim the truth would injure the living," he replied, "without in any way benefiting the dead."
"It is not right," she declared, "that your father and you should bear the stigma that belongs to me and mine. I will proclaim the truth myself."
"Lady Walden, if it be your desire to please me, you will maintain silence. But pardon my discourtesy, you are standing all this time."
He led her to a garden-seat, and took his place beside her.
"You once asked me," said Lorelie, "to let you read my father's correspondence. I have brought his letters with me. They are here."
She held out a packet of letters.
"Will you not read them to me, Lady Walden? You can then omit what you think necessary."
"I have no wish to conceal anything contained in them," she answered, placing the letters in his hand. "But before you read, let me forestall and correct an erroneous impression you may be likely to draw from them. Guided partly by these letters, partly by other considerations, I have, till a few days ago, entertained the belief that the Earl of Ormsby was none other than—your father, Eric Marville."
Despite his desire to be serious Idris could not refrain from smiling at this statement.