In her pure heart the man was held in utter detestation.
Now was the time for a full explanation; but pride was aroused--strong, stubborn pride.

She knew herself to stand triple mailed in innocency--to be free from weakness or taint; and the thought that a mean, base suspicion had entered the mind of her husband aroused her indignation and put a seal upon her lips as to all explanatory utterances.
"Then I am to believe the worst ?" said Hartley, seeing that his wife did not answer.

"The worst, and of you!" The tone in which this was said, as well as the words themselves, sent a strong throb to the heart of Irene.

"The worst, and of you!" This from her husband! and involving far more in tone and manner than in uttered language.

"Then I am to believe the worst!" She turned the sentences over in her mind.