He took it, and held it; she went on, a little more hastily
than before: "You know you were so good as to say you would go at once
and see Miss Monro, and tell her all you know, and that I will write to
her as soon as I can."
"May I not ask for one line?" he continued, still holding her hand.
"Certainly: so kind a friend as you shall hear all I can tell; that is,
all I am at liberty to tell."
"A friend! Yes, I am a friend; and I will not urge any other claim just
now. Perhaps--"
Ellinor could not affect to misunderstand him. His manner implied even
more than his words.
"No!" she said, eagerly. "We are friends. That is it. I think we shall
always be friends, though I will tell you now--something--this much--it
is a sad secret. God help me! I am as guilty as poor Dixon, if, indeed,
he is guilty--but he is innocent--indeed he is!"
"If he is no more guilty than you, I am sure he is! Let me be more than
your friend, Ellinor--let me know all, and help you all that I can, with
the right of an affianced husband."
"No, no!" said she, frightened both at what she had revealed, and his
eager, warm, imploring manner. "That can never be. You do not know the
disgrace that may be hanging over me."
"If that is all," said he, "I take my risk--if that is all--if you only
fear that I may shrink from sharing any peril you may be exposed to.
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