A fierce struggle was going on in Bessie's soul. He whom she had wronged (never having wronged anybody else), he for whom she had committed her crime, wanted her to authorise him to stand up in Court and say she had not committed it. She had deceived him once—could she deceive him again?
"No, no, no! I cannot!"
Alick was puzzled. "What do you mean, Bessie? Why shouldn't I be your advocate?"
"I don't want any advocate."
"But you must have one. It isn't enough to be not guilty—we must prove you're not. Why shouldn't I do so?"
At length she was forced to make some explanation. The police were determined to have her condemned; therefore he would lose his case and that would go against him.
"Good gracious, girl, what nonsense! Anybody may lose a case. The greatest lawyers have lost cases. But it's impossible that I should lose this one. And even if I lose it—do you know what I shall do?"
"What?"
"Wait outside the prison door until you come out and marry you the same day to show that I believe in you still."
At that Bessie was in floods of tears again. And again they cried in each other's arms like children.