"You take something for granted; because, it so happens, that I don't know there is a charge against you. I know that there is a charge against Miss Gilbert; and also another, rather a droll one, against me."
"Against you!" cried the girl. "What is the charge against you?"
His lordship waved his hand airily.
"My dear Miss Gilbert, the police, on occasion, are such humorists, it is not a matter of the slightest consequence. Rest easy in your mind; I am in danger neither of penal servitude nor of execution. What I wish to explain is, I am not aware that Mr Arnecliffe has been explicitly mentioned in the matter at all; therefore, as I have already remarked, it appears to me that he takes a good deal for granted."
"Doesn't what you have yourself said more than justify the course I propose to pursue?"
"How? Pray how? Do, sir, explain!"
"You admit that a charge of complicity is being made against Miss Gilbert, of which she is entirely innocent."
"I am not entirely innocent! I am not!"
"'Ssh, Miss Gilbert, 'ssh! please permit the gentleman to continue; and we'll take the lady's innocence for granted, sir."
"But that's just what you sha'n't do--that's just what I won't have--I know that I'm not innocent!"