That is not a little thing to say, at my age and in my circumstances." He bowed gravely, and turned to his bed.

From under it, he pulled out a clumsy tin box.

Having opened the rusty lock with some difficulty, he produced a ragged pocket-book, and picked out from it a paper which looked like an old letter.
"There," he said, handing the paper to Mr.Mool, "is the statement which vindicates this lady's reputation.

Before you open the manuscript I must tell you how I came by it." He appeared to feel such embarrassment in approaching the subject, that Mr.Mool interposed.

"I am already acquainted," he said, "with some of the circumstances to which you are about to allude.