He was not a very prepossessing lad, for it requires a better physique than he was endowed with to bear the stamp of viciousness that is usually most noticeable on the feeble, but he was distinguished by a trace of arrogance that not infrequently served him as well as resolution.
"If it would not inconvenience Miss Barrington, it would help me to understand a good deal I can find no meaning for now," he said.
The elder lady's face grew sterner, and very quietly but remorselessly she set forth his offense, until no one who heard the tale could have doubted the origin of the fire.
"I should have been better pleased, had you, if only when you saw we knew everything, appeared willing to confess your fault and make amends," she said.
Ferris laughed as ironically as he dared under the eyes which had lost their gentleness.

"You will pardon me for telling you that I have no intention of admitting it now.

That you should be so readily prejudiced against me is not gratifying, but, you see, nobody could take any steps without positive proof of the story, and my word is at least as credible as that of the interloper who told it you." Maud Barrington raised her head suddenly, and looked at him with a curious light in her eyes, but the elder lady made a little gesture of deprecation.
"Mr.Courthorne has told us nothing," she said.

"Still, three gentlemen whose worth is known at Silverdale are willing to certify every point of it.

If we lay the affair before Colonel Barrington, you will have an opportunity of standing face to face with them." The lad's assurance, which, so far and no further, did duty for courage, deserted him.