to indicate a sanguine temperament. Helen Dalton was all that he had
thought, and something more. He knew her level, penetrating glance, but
she had a virility he had not expected. The girl was somehow stronger
than he portrait.

"Perhaps I had better leave you to talk to Mr. Festing," Mrs. Dalton
said presently and moved away.

Helen waited with a calm that Festing thought must cost her much, and
moving a folding chair, he sat down opposite.

"I understand Bob told you I would come," he said. "You see, he is a
friend of mine."

"Yes," she replied with a faint sparkle in her eyes. "He hinted that you
would explain matters. I think he meant you would make some defense for
him."

Festing noted that her voice was low like her mother's, but it had a
firmer note. He could be frank with her, but there was a risk that he
might say too much.

"Well," he said, "I may make mistakes. In fact, it was with much
reluctance I promised to come, and if Bob hadn't insisted----" He paused
and pulled himself together. "On the surface, of course, his conduct
looks inexcusable, but he really has some defense, and I think you ought
to hear it, for your own sake."

"Perhaps I ought," she agreed quietly. "Well, I am willing."