I expect and desire you to vindicate yourself from aspersions so foul, if vindication be possible." The tone with which he uttered the last words affected me deeply.

"If vindication be possible!" repeated I."From what you know, do you deem a formal vindication necessary?
Can you harbour for a moment the belief of my guilt ?" He shook his head with an air of acute anguish.

"I have struggled," said he, "to dismiss that belief.

You speak before a judge who will profit by any pretence to acquit you: who is ready to question his own senses when they plead against you." These words incited a new set of thoughts in my mind.

I began to suspect that Pleyel had built his accusations on some foundation unknown to me.
"I may be a stranger to the grounds of your belief.