Faith's color had risen as she said these words, and she seemed to brace herself mentally for what was coming.
Should she answer the next question, which she felt sure would follow? It was a moment that taxed all the decision in her nature.
Mr. Denton looked at her smilingly as he prepared for the question. There was not an inkling in his brain of the true situation.
"Do you object, Miss Marvin, to telling us who sent it? Really, the question is important, or I would not ask it."
Faith looked from one to the other and clenched her fingers convulsively. It seemed cruel to her to thus wound the feelings of another.
"I would rather not tell, please, Mr. Denton," she began.
"Then I must insist," said the gentleman, "for, as I said, the matter is serious."
"If you insist, I must obey," said Faith, in some bewilderment; "but I beg you will forgive me for saying that your son sent me the candy."
Before the words were fairly out Mr. Denton was pale with horror. The shock was so great that he shuddered as he looked at her.
"My son," he whispered, hoarsely. "Is that true, Miss Marvin? Is my son one of the rascals who annoy the young women under my protection? Is he—"