"You mean because of my father?" she said, in a low voice. "Yes--because of your father." But he did not mean it in the sense that she attributed to his words. He lay back in his chair, sighing heavily, and again growing very pale. "Hubert," said the girl, "I think you are wrong. Cynthia is not to blame for her father's actions--it is not fair to punish the innocent for the guilty." "My dear, I must tell you before you go on that Cynthia does not believe her father guilty." "Not guilty? Oh, Hubert! But you think so, do you not?" He struggled with himself for a minute. "No, Enid," he said at last. Her face grew troubled and perplexed. "But the jury said that he was guilty! You think that they were wrong? Perhaps some new evidence has been found! I shall be glad for Cynthia's sake if her father is innocent." "Shall you, Enid?" "Yes; for it must be such a terrible thing for a girl to know that her father has committed a great crime. She can never forget it; her whole life must be overshadowed by the remembrance. I am so thankful to think that my own dear father--although his end was tragic--lived a good and honorable life. It would be awful for Cynthia if she believed her father to be a wicked man!" Hubert turned away his face. It was terrible to him to hear her speak thus. It seemed to him that, whenever an impulse came upon him to speak the truth, she herself made the truth appear unspeakable. Better perhaps to leave the matter where it stood. It was a mere question of transferring a burden from Cynthia's strong to Enid's feeble shoulders. "Whether Westwood was really innocent or guilty," he said, with an effort, "is not for us to decide--now." "No; and therefore we must do our best for Cynthia and for ourselves," said Enid, with sudden resolution. "I did not know before that there was even a doubt about his guilt; but, if so, our way is all the clearer, Hubert. You are not hesitating because you do not want to marry a convict's daughter, are you?" "Not at all." "Then it is because you are afraid that we--that I perhaps--shall be hurt? I know that Flossy and the General feel strongly on the point. But, Hubert, I absolve you--I give you leave. In my father's name I speak; for I am sure that in another world where all things are known he sees as I do--that the innocent must not be punished for the guilty. If you love Cynthia, Hubert, marry her; and I will give you my best wishes for your happiness. I am sure that it should be so--else why should God have permitted you to love each other?" "Enid, you are an angel!" cried Hubert. He seized her hand and pressed it to his lips. She felt tears hot upon her fingers, and knew that they came from his eyes. She bent down and kissed his forehead.