Ruthven--"
"_What_ matter?" repeated Selwyn. His voice rang a little, but the
colour had fled from his face.
"She was--Jack Ruthven charged her with--and me--charged me with--"
"_You_!"
"Yes."
"Well--it was a lie, wasn't it?" Selwyn's ashy lips scarcely moved, but
his eyes were narrowing to a glimmer. "It was a lie, wasn't it?" he
repeated.
"Yes--a lie. I'd say it, anyway, you understand--but it really was a
lie."
Selwyn quietly leaned back in his chair; a little colour returned to his
cheeks.
"All right--old fellow"--his voice scarcely quivered--"all right; go on.
I knew, of course, that Ruthven lied, but it was part of the story to
hear you say so. Go on. What did Ruthven do?"
"There has been a separation," said the boy in a low voice. "He behaved
like a dirty cad--she had no resources--no means of support--" He
hesitated, moistening his dry lips with his tongue. "Mrs. Ruthven has
been very, very kind to me. I was--I am fond of her; oh, I know well
enough I never had any business to meet her; I behaved abominably toward
you--and the family.
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