"Nor had I," said Sir Lionel, firmly, pouring out another glass of wine.
"It was excessively unfortunate. Had I not myself been
in--in--ah--affliction at the time, I might have done something to help
him."

"Oh, Sir Lionel, I'm sure you would!"

"Yes, madam," said Sir Lionel; "but domestic circumstances to which I am
not at liberty to allude, of a painful character, put it out of my power
to--to--ah--to interpose. I was away when the arrest took place, and
when I returned it was too late."

"So I have understood," said Miss Plympton; "and it is because I have
felt so sure of your goodness of heart that I have come now on this
visit."

"I hope that you will give me the chance of showing you that your
confidence in me is well founded," said Sir Lionel, cordially.

"You may have heard, Sir Lionel," began Miss Plympton, "that about the
time of the trial Mrs. Dalton died. She died of a broken heart. It was
very, very sudden."

Sir Lionel sighed heavily.

"She thought enough of me to consider me her friend; and as she did not
think her own relatives had shown her sufficient sympathy, she intrusted
her child to me when dying. I have had that child ever since. She is
now eighteen, and of age."