He smiled faintly.
“Why, of course not, my child.”
“Oh, father!” And again she caught him in a close embrace.
After a moment she leaned back in his arms.
“I’m so happy—so happy! Forgive me, daddy dear, that I could doubt you even for a minute.”
“How could you help it? They say the evidence against me is very strong.”
“I should have believed you innocent against all the evidence in the world! And I do, and shall—no matter what they may say!”
“Bless you, Katherine!”
“But come—tell me how it all came about. But, first, let’s brighten up the room a little.”
So great was her relief that her spirits had risen as though some positive blessing had befallen her. She crossed lightly to the big bay window, raised the shades and threw up the sashes. The sunlight slanted down into the room and lay in a dazzling yellow square upon the floor. The soft breeze sighed through the two tall pines without and bore into them the perfumed freshness of the spring.