"And so will I—but will a jury? You have not consulted counsel, I suppose?"
"No—I've not consulted anyone. I acted solely on my own responsibility because I was satisfied it was right."
"And what is more important to Stephanie—will the public accept her word and believe it?" Pendleton reflected.
"Certainly it will. I haven't a bit of doubt of it."
Pendleton shrugged his shoulders.
"I wish I had your assurance," he replied. "There is only one thing about it that isn't doubtful, to my mind."
"What is that?" Lorraine demanded impatiently.
"That Stephanie will be damned utterly unless her story is accepted."
"She is damned if Dolittle's story is accepted. This is the only means she has of clearing herself—to fight openly. Unless"—he paused and looked hard at Pendleton—"unless she will consent to a reconciliation and resume her place as my wife."
"I wish someone could persuade her of that," Pendleton answered instantly. "It is her best and wisest course. It would relieve the entire situation."