I might have known that you couldn't be so bad, so wicked as they all said! Will you forgive me?
Oh, do say you'll forgive me for so cruelly misjudging you." Derrick took the fat hand and looked, with a grave smile of more than forgiveness, at the good-natured, agitated face.
"Don't say any more, Lady Gridborough," he said.

"It was my fault.

I ought to have spoken--I see now what a fool I have been! My mistaken sense of honour has caused all this trouble; and grieved you very much, I see, dear Lady Gridborough.

But how did you learn the truth--I mean discover that I had not wronged poor Susie ?" "It was Mr.Rex here," said Lady Gridborough, her face all smiles now.
"He's an extraordinary young man, and has succeeded in doing that at which we had all failed--opening Susie's lips.

How he managed it, I do not know! Perhaps he can tell you." Derrick had got hold of Reggie's hand by this time, and was regarding him with a half-smiling interrogation; and Reggie was also smiling with that air of omniscience and supreme acuteness which sat so curiously on his boyish face.
"A future wife should have no secrets from her future husband, as you will be the first to admit, dear Lady Gridborough." "'Future husband!'" echoed Derrick, with a surprise that was only momentary.
"Yes," said Reggie, quietly.