“The tangle is greater than I thought. It seems to be drawing us together. God moves in a mysterious way, and it may be His purpose that, under this blood-red shadow, our lives shall draw closer to each other. For my part, I am content.” I waited for her to speak; she was still; but she rested one hand upon my arm, and I trembled. “Don’t let yourself be troubled by fantastic fears. Rest assured that your heart is stainless as are your hands. I know. Look up, the light is coming! Your innocence will be made plain to all the world, and to yourself. For it seems that of yourself you’re chief doubter.”
“I did doubt; I’m easier now. I don’t doubt at all when you are near. I wonder why?”
“I wonder, too. But, come, there are a dozen things which I must do. You must be bundled off. Mrs. Peddar, where is this young lady’s hat?”
Mrs. Peddar passed into an inner room, presently returning with a hat. While its owner was putting it on, Miss Adair came up to me. I had been aware that the two women had been watching us with wide-open eyes and gaping mouths; now one of them gave partial expression to her feelings.
“What on earth is there between you two? Have you known each other all your lives, or did you meet for the first time last night?”
“That is a question for the metaphysicians. I seem to have known her all my life.”
“And has she known you all hers? Is that what I’m to think?”
“There is one thing you are not to think—you are not to think that she had any hand in what was done.”
“But it’s all so awful! It’s all come upon me in an instant: it’s taken me unawares. What am I to think after what she said, and did, in that room?”
“You are to be sure that she is as innocent as a child.”