"No bad news, dear Alfred, I hope ?" she said, in her most affectionate manner.

Hardyman snatched the letter from her, without answering, and led Isabel out of the tent.
"Read that!" he said, when they were alone.

"And tell me at once whether it's true or false." Isabel read the letter.

For a moment the shock of the discovery held her speechless.

She recovered herself, and returned the letter.
"It is true," she answered.
Hardyman staggered back as if she had shot him.
"True that you are guilty ?" he asked.
"No; I am innocent.