"A grave reason which I cannot explain to you, but which my father accepts, although he fails to understand; may I ask you to do the same?"
"Indeed, yes; but I am very, very sorry you are not coming home," she said.
"I am glad to hear you say that," he replied, earnestly, "because I value your good opinion very much, almost as much, if not quite, as my father's."
"You have always had my good opinion," she said, softly.
"Then you never believed me guilty?" he asked, eagerly.
She hesitated; she had at one time thought he might have become entangled with Janet. She would not deny it now.
"You must forgive me, Ulick," she said. "Remember, I heard the story from the Squire, and I had no opportunity of hearing your side. What else could I do? I confess I thought as he thought, but I no longer do so now you are reconciled."
"You thought me capable of stealing Janet Todd from her father, from Eli, who would have willingly done anything for me?" he said, reproachfully.
"Not that; no, not that," she replied. "I never gave that a thought."
"You did not believe Janet went away with me?"