"You never, never took that bill out of my purse?"
"No."
"You are certain?"
"Yes. I didn't open your purse. But it doesn't matter whether you believe me or not. You think I did; it doesn't matter.
"Christian, tell me what you know."
"Alice gave me your purse to keep for you. She threw it into my lap. I fell asleep. I slept for an hour. When I awoke it was still in my lap. I never gave it to anybody else. I don't know how the bill was taken out of your purse. But that is all as far as I am concerned."
Steps were heard in the corridor. Miss Jessie was coming back. Miss Jessie would certainly be impatient. Christian, looking more dead than alive, was lying prone on her bed, and Star had not fulfilled her mission. Suddenly an idea came to her.
"I am going to take both your hands," she said. Christian made no movement whatever to put her hands into Star's clasp. Star took them.
"Now listen to me, Christian Mitford. I have done wrong, and I confess it. I hated you, but I hate you no longer. I did love you—well, I love you back again. Listen to me, Christian. I love you back again; and I know, Christian, that you didn't take the bill out of my purse. I know that you are innocent. Now get well, Chris—get well, for I love you."