"Nothing. I spoke idle words."
"Last evening I overheard you demand something of Mr. Crane," she pursued, without commenting on his answer. "When he refused you I heard you say these words, 'Here is where I should have received aid; I may have to get it where I should not.' What was the aid you asked of him? and where else did you expect to get it?"
"The aid was something impossible to accord, and I did not expect to get it elsewhere. I said that in order to induce him to help me."
A wonderful light sprang to the girl's eyes, but still she maintained her level voice.
"You asked him for a rifle with which to escape. You expected to get it of me. Deny it if you can."
Ned Trent looked at her keenly a moment, then dropped his eyes.
"It is true," said he.
"And the pity was to give you this weapon; and the duty was my duty to my father's house."
"It is true," he repeated, dejectedly.
"And you lied to me when you said you had a rifle with which to journey la Longue Traverse."