“Forgive me! Frank, forgive me! I will tell you everything. You shall know the truth; believe me.”

“Why did you not tell me the truth long ago; then this degrading trial would have been avoided,” I said, bitterly.

“Because I could not, until this afternoon.”

“Not when my life was at stake?”

She shook her head seriously, replying, “No, it was impossible.”

Was I still being duped? Those were the only words that beat a constant and painful tattoo in my brain.

“Tell me,” I said, laying my hand upon her shoulder, “tell me the reason why you have kept this secret of yours till now?”

“Hark!” she said, listening intently.

I could hear nothing beyond the roar of the traffic in Trafalgar Square.

She crossed quickly to the window, and flinging aside the curtains, opened it.