Page 175 (1/1)

Afterwards Kathlyn Rhodes 8100K 2023-09-02

"Dr Anstice, have you really made up your mind that my poor Tochatti is the criminal? It seems to me that your evidence is very fliht quite easily put those inverted coner; and I still disbelieve in Tochatti's power to write Besides"--she paused a moment--"she has always served me with so much devotion She is not perfect, I know, but none of us is that; and I have never, never seen anything in her manner which would lead rateful, heartless creature you see the clear colour flood the marble whiteness of her cheeks, Anstice was struck by the curious contrast between this generous championship of a woman who had served her and her utter indifference and lack of all protest when it was her own innocence which was in question In defence of her servant she spoke war apparently, to allow even mere acquaintances to look upon the woman as unworthy; yet she had rarely expressed in words her own entire innocence of the disgraceful charge which had been ainst her; and had suffered the cruel injusticeits iron to enter into her soul

And as he watched and listened Anstice told hi of nobility in this reluctance to accept her own acquittal at the cost of another's condehted never wavered; and he answered her impassioned speech in a cool and ree with antic piece of deceit, carrying it through to the extent of allowing an innocent person to be found guilty for her offence, ood deal more in the way of hypocrisy I don't say for certain that your h to convict her, or anyone else; but I do say that if it were she who stood by and allowed you to suffer for her wickedness, well, she is fully capable of living with you on ter you in her heart all the while"

"But why should she hate me?" Chloe's tone expressed an al her uneasily, rose froly

"There, there, don't distress yourself, my dear!" His tone was fatherly "After all, we only want to clear up this mystery for your sake I daresay Anstice would be quite willing to let the matter drop if he alone were concerned----"