"Kate," resolutely said Cornelius, "think me foolish, mad, if you like: the truth is, that I have found out the innocence of Daisy, as I ought to have found it out at once—by believing her."
"But where are the proofs?" asked Kate.
"I tell you there are no proofs," he replied with impatient warmth; "proofs made me condemn Daisy; I am now a wiser man, and acquit her on trust."
"No proofs!" said Kate, looking confounded.
"No, Kate, none, and I don't want any either."
"But you had proofs this morning, you said."
"You could not give me a better reason for having none this evening.
Proofs are cheats, I shall trust no more."
Kate sighed profoundly and said in a rueful tone—
"Heaven knows how much I wish to believe Daisy innocent, but my opinion cannot turn about so quickly as yours."
"She did not do it, Kate," exclaimed her brother, a little vehemently, "she did not."