“With respect,” responded Hal; “but at the same time, I must insist, sir, in addressing me you do not employ terms derogatory to my honour!” Colonel Mires laughed scornfully. Hal turned fiercely to him. “Our day of reckoning is to come,” he exclaimed; “it is unnecessary for you to add to your obligations.” Then again turning to Mr. Wilton, he continued-- “I presume, sir, that I have been brought here as a delinquent placed upon his trial--that you will enact the parts of judge and jury, and this man will be the counsel for the prosecution, the witness, and will offer the whole of the evidence. Be it so--proceed with your charges, I will not utter one word until you have both finished, I shall then reply to the allegations; and; of this be assured; sir, that I shall not now, any more than I have ever done, swerve from the truth, be the consequences what they may to myself.” Hal kept his promise; not a word was extorted from him by the wild suppositions of Wilton, or by the insults, the taunts, or the base insinuations of Colonel Mires; but at last when Wilton called upon him for his answer, he had discovered that, although Flora had confessed to having disposed of her heart, she had not stated to whom; that all that had been produced against himself were the suppositions of the old man, or suggestions of the bitter enemy before him. Even the accidental interview of the day before, so strongly referred to, rested only on Colonel Mires’ statement of having seen Flora and himself emerge successively from the glen; and he perceived that if he chose to keep his mouth sealed, the main features of the charge would hang upon the veracity of the Colonel, respecting which it was certain that Mr. Wilton did not entertain the most exalted notions. He, however, resolved to free Flora from the faintest breath of imputation, and to acknowledge just so much--with regard to their mutual passion--as the turn his own defence and explanations might eliminate, and no more. Had the course adopted to examine him been what it ought to have been, he would not have concealed an incident; as it was, he determined to reserve as much as he could, from Colonel Mires, at least. Before, however, he could speak, the library door was flung open, and the servant announced in a loud voice-- “Mr. Mark Wilton.” CHAPTER XI.--THE UNPLEASANT CONFERENCE. _Sieg_. You are charged, Your own heart may inform you why, with such a crime as-- _Gab._ Give it utterance, and then I’ll meet the consequences. _Sieg._ You shall do so-- Unless _Gab._ First, who accuses me? _Sieg._ All things. If not all men; the universal rumour-- My own presence on the spot--the place, the time, And every speck of circumstance, unite To fix the blot on you. --Byron.