"You might not have a convenient window," she said, with deliberate,
consuming suggestion.
His glance never wavered, though he understood instantly what she meant.
Well, she had discovered that! He flushed.
"Madame," he said, "I hope that I am a gentleman at heart."
The whole scene came back on him, and a moisture sprang to his eyes.
"She is innocent," he continued--"upon my sacred honour! Yes, yes, I
know that the evidence is all against me, but I speak the absolute truth.
You saw--that night, did you?"
She nodded.
"Ah, it is a pity--a pity. But, madame, as you are a true woman, believe
what I say; for, I repeat, it is the truth."
Then, with admirable reticence, even great delicacy, he told the story
as Elise had told it, and as convincingly.
"I believe you, monsieur," she said frankly, when he had done, and
stretched out her hand to him with a sudden impulse of regard. "Now,
follow up that unselfishness by another."
He looked inquiringly at her.
"Give up this mad chase," she added eagerly.
"Never!" was his instant reply.
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