It is not the Hamilton of yesterday who is speaking to you, but a new man, born again in the fierce light your cousin threw upon me.

I feared you might resent his effort to protect you, and I wanted to tell you again that he spoke nothing but the truth, and that he did his duty where another man less brave would have failed." Frances sighed audibly, and I was sure her eyes were filled with tears.
"Hereafter I shall be as honest with you and as brave for your welfare as Baron Ned was yesterday," said Hamilton, his voice choking with emotion.
"I see you now for the last time, unless--" He stopped speaking for a moment and, taking her hand, continued hesitatingly, "Does the thought pain you ?" "I suppose I should say no," answered the girl, withdrawing her hand.
"But you see, I, too, have a little moral courage, and, in the face of an inevitable future, do not fear to say, yes, the greatest pain I have ever known." He moved toward her with evident intent to embrace her, but she rose, saying calmly, almost coldly:-- "Master Hamilton, do you wish me to leave you ?" In Hamilton's place, I should have preferred trying to embrace St.
George's dragon rather than the girl standing before him.
Hamilton bowed with humility and said: "Please do not fear.

Sit down and hear me out.

I shall not detain you long." She sat down, seeming to feel that notwithstanding her recent admission, there was no danger of further unseemly demonstration on Hamilton's part.
"I want to say," continued Hamilton, "that while Baron Ned spoke the truth, I have never been guilty of the crimes which it is said some of my friends have committed.

I am unworthy enough in every respect, but I am innocent of murder and robbery.