"Why ?" she asked.
"Do you suppose I don't believe in your innocence too ?" he answered.
"The one way of setting you right with the world now is for me to make you my wife, in spite of the appearances that point to you.

I'm too fond of you, Isabel, to give you up.

Come back with me, and I will announce our marriage to my friends." She took his hand, and kissed it.

"It is generous and good of you," she said; "but it must not be." He took a step nearer to her.

"What do you mean ?" he asked.
"It was against my will," she pursued, "that my aunt concealed the truth from you.