She must be cleared before the world.

That is the first duty--if it could be done without--making bad almost worse!" "Bad--worse?
How could it, Langholm ?" No answer.
"Who do you say it is ?" No answer again.

Langholm had not bargained to say anything to anybody just yet.
Severino raised himself once more upon an elbow.
"I must know!" he said.
Langholm rose, laughing.
"I'll tell you who I thought it was at first," said he, heartily.

"I don't mind telling you that, because it was so absurd; and I think you'll be the first to laugh at it.

I was idiot enough to think it might be you, my poor, dear chap!" "And you don't think so still ?" asked Severino, harshly.