He hath no word either of exculpation, denial, or assent from me.

But to thee, my child, my young, my innocent child, thee, whose ear, when removed from me, they may strive to poison with false tales, woven with such skill that hadst thou not thy mother's word, should win thee to belief--to thee I say, look on me, Alan--is this a brow of guilt ?" "No, no, no, I will not look on thee, my mother! I need not to gaze on thee to know the horrid falsity of the charge," answered Alan, flinging his arms passionately around his mother.

"Did I never see thee more, never list that voice again, and did all the fiends of hell come around me with their lies, I would not hear, much less believe such charge.

No, no! oh God, 'tis my father, speaks it! Father--and my hand is powerless to avenge." "I need not vengeance, my beloved; grieve not, weep not that thy hand is chained, and may not defend thy mother's stainless name; I need it not.
My heart is known unto my God, my innocence to thee; his blessing rest with thee, my beautiful, and give thee strength for all thou mayest endure." She bent down to kiss his brow, which was damp with the dew of intense anguish.

He started up, he gave one long look on her calm and noble face, and then he flung himself in her arms, and sobbed like a child on her bosom.