"May I come in?" he asked.
"O—certainly!" fluttered Miss Ellen.
He went straight across the room to her couch and took her hand.
"I hope you will allow me to introduce myself," he said. "I am the unfortunate man who hurled such a bomb-shell into the midst of the village this morning. I am now engaged in doing my poor best to repair the mischief I have caused. Take courage, Miss Willoughby—your white dove shall not receive so much as a fleck on her gold and silver plumage."
Miss Ellen could hardly speak for tears.
"She is flecked already," she gasped. "A vile accusation has been levelled at her before a crowd of witnesses. We are disgraced."
"I think the lady who made the accusation will be the one to feel disgraced," answered Mr. Percivale, taking a seat beside her. "Keep up heart, Miss Willoughby, I feel sure this frightful accusation will be easily proved false."
She looked up with a sudden spasm of hope.
"Then you really think——" she began, and paused.
"I think?" interrogatively.