There were strange sidelights on the feelings which the young Italian had inspired in an unlikely breast; a mother could have done no more to shield him.

On the night of the acquittal, for example, when he was slowly recovering in her house, it had since come to the writer's knowledge that this woman had turned Mrs.Minchin from her door with a lying statement as to his whereabouts.

This he mentioned to confirm his declaration that he always meant to tell the truth to Rachel, that it was his first resolve in the early stages of his recovery, long before he knew of her arrest and trial, and that this woman was aware of that resolve as of all else.

But he doubted whether she could be made to speak, though he hoped that for his sake she would.
And Langholm grinned with set teeth as he turned back to this passage: he would be diabolically safe.
It was only an evil thought.

He did not admit it as a temptation.