You would not find fault with me because he was here, would you ?" "Dorothy, my daughter," said Sir George, hesitatingly, "are you telling me the truth ?" Then the fair girl lifted up her beautiful head, and standing erect at her full height (it pains me to tell you this) said: "Father, I am a Vernon.

I would not lie." Her manner was so truthlike that Sir George was almost convinced.
He said, "I believe you." Her father's confidence touched her keenly; but not to the point of repentance, I hardly need say.
Dorothy then grew anxious to return to the Hall that she might prepare me to answer whatever idle questions her father should put to me.

She took Dolcy's rein, and leading the mare with one hand while she rested the other upon her father's arm, walked gayly across Bowling Green down to the Hall, very happy because of her lucky escape.
But a lie is always full of latent retribution.
I was sitting in the kitchen, dreamily watching the huge fire when Dorothy and her father entered.
"Ah, Malcolm, are you here ?" asked Sir George in a peculiar tone of surprise for which I could see no reason.
"I thought you were walking." I was smoking.

I took my pipe from my lips and said, "No, I am helping old Bess and Jennie with supper." "Have you not been walking ?" asked Sir George.
There was an odd expression on his face when I looked up to him, and I was surprised at his persistent inquiry concerning so trivial a matter.

But Sir George's expression, agitated as it was, still was calm when compared with that of Dorothy, who stood a step or two behind her father.