"That is very good of you. Now forgive my hurrying you so, and plunging so abruptly into the midst of my subject, but my time is short—"
She started.
"Are you going away?"
A rush of most unwonted color mounted to Percivale's cheeks, and he hesitated a moment before his reply.
"No; not going till your innocence is established; but the inquest will be held here the day after to-morrow, and I want to be in a position to show you blameless by then."
She lifted her head and smiled up at him.
"You can do it. I believe you could do anything," she said, softly.
He looked at her steadily as he replied,
"It does seem at this moment as though a great deal were possible."
There was an eloquent pause, during which the hall clock struck loudly. Its sound roused Percivale, and he began his questioning.