"It was," he answered softly.
"It makes me trust you further than ever," she assured him, passing her hand under his chin and pulling his cheek to hers, again with that instinct of possession. "You must not be less true but more, because of me," she breathed softly.
"But there is one thing I can tell you," he continued, "which no one else knows nor can know now."
And then he told her of Marien's visit. The girl listened at first with cheeks flaming hot and her blue eyes fixed and sternly hard. Yet as the narrative proceeded, she grew thoughtful and then considerate, breaking in finally with:
"But she did it so wantonly, so irresponsibly; what reparation does she propose?"
"To immediately make a public confession that her charge against me was utterly false," replied John, strangely moved to speak defensively for Marien.
"She will do that?" exclaimed Bessie, her face alive with excitement and intense relief.
"She would have done it," answered John, "but I forbade her."
"Forbade her? Oh, John!" The soft eyes looked amazement and reproach.
"Yes," acknowledged John in a steady voice. "You see, her word would become instantly worthless. To be believed, her confession would have to be supported by the naming of the real thief."