Here he related the circumstance of finding and reading the letter, and
then added:

"You see the whole train of circumstances renders it impossible that Hadley
should not be the one to whom the letter was addressed. I found it just in
the place where he was in the habit of coming, a spot that no one else
frequented, and so secluded as to forbid the idea of a casual passenger
dropping it. Beside, where is there another person of the same name?"

"I frankly own there is a mystery connected with the subject which I cannot
explain, but that mystery does not convince me of Hadley's guilt."

"What incredulity! What stronger evidence do you want to convict him?"

"I desire positive assurance that the letter was actually written to and
for him; at present I do not believe that it was."

"Love is truly blind!"

"Love?"

"Yes."

"What has that to do with the case under consideration?"

"It is not worth while for you to disguise the fact that you have loved
Hadley; I know that you do or did, and your own heart knows full well how
much it has suffered through that love. Alas, that I, your own father,
should have caused you so much anguish!"