Perhaps the more staunchly for catching the sag in her voice, he sought to reassure her. “I _know_ that you are guiltless. Do you recall the little toast I gave you one night at dinner? I didn’t say on that occasion that I’d been doubly favored by meeting your kind of a woman twice in my lifetime--the woman who doesn’t need to boast or sparkle or promise--the woman who needs only to be. The first one, Miss Trent, of whom you reminded me, was my mother.” Dolores was startled. Always before she had suffered because unjustly blamed. Now she was unjustly praised. She did not feel honest. But she must be careful, even with the kindly attorney. She had John, as well as herself, to think of. The fault was not so much his as hers and he must not be blamed. “Then, too----” Holt had cleared the huskiness from his throat--“I know John Cabot.” Evidently that, to him, was conclusive. By and by he added: “Even Mrs. Cabot does not think you guilty, as she charges.” “How can you know that?” Again Dolores was startled. “She admitted as much to me not more than an hour ago.” “You have talked with her to-day and she admitted---- Then, perhaps, she _can_ be reached?” But the bald head wagged, even as the friendly eyes beamed upon her. “She cannot be reached as you mean, although I have reached her in a way for which you may despise me. Mrs. Cabot has retained me as her lawyer in this case.” “You--her lawyer?” The words were so hot, they seemed to scorch Dolores’ lips. “I thought you were his friend?” “I am. But Catherine believes now that I have always cared--for her, you know--and that therefore I want her freedom more than anything else in the world. A vain woman can easily be persuaded of that.” Dolores could not understand. “You say you really are his friend, yet you take Mrs. Cabot’s case against him? What possible motive----” “Me, too, you do an injustice, Miss Trent.” “You--too?” “Even me. I am taking the case to lose it.” CHAPTER XX