While we were talking over the matter in our apartment, we were astonished to receive the visit of Masters, for of late Masters had failed to recognize any of our party in the courthouse, and we feared that the issue regarding Neaera's responsibility had occasioned a permanent break in the ranks of the opposition. When Masters entered the room he made no pretense of cordiality; he apologized conventionally for intruding, and explained that his visit was due to a letter received from Neaera that day, in which she had urged him to see me, as she was convinced I could set his mind at rest regarding her innocence. I perceived without difficulty that Neaera must have been reduced to desperate straits in order to have recourse to such a reckless measure, and that the correspondence between Masters and her must have betrayed considerable doubt in Masters's mind as to the truth of her statements concerning her connection with the business. I was determined to learn from Masters as far as possible what was his present attitude to Neaera. So I asked: "You have heard the witnesses; what is your own impression of the matter?" "You could not expect me to believe them, could you?" There was an expression of agony on Masters's brow which made me feel strongly drawn to him. "Shall Ariston stay while we talk about this?" asked I. "Yes," said Masters, turning to Ariston. "It is well that you should know that Neaera is my wife." Ariston put up both hands with an involuntary expression of dismay, the significance of which Masters did not fail to take in. He looked at me half in despair, half in inquiry. "Ariston understands now," I said, "why you have undertaken to vindicate Neaera." "I should have undertaken to vindicate her in any event," answered Masters. "She is a woman, and a concerted effort is being directed toward making a scapegoat of her." "The witnesses," I answered, "are certainly unanimous on the subject." "From what you say," Masters said, "I gather that you do not disbelieve them." The veins in Masters's forehead were swelling with the effort he was making to hide his indignation. "I have been at great pains to be released from the obligation of testifying," I answered, "because I have not wished to injure her, because, above all," I added, "I have not wished to injure you." We had remained standing during this conversation, but when I said this--and in saying it I tried to make Masters feel that I was sorry for him--he turned away a little and sank sideways upon a chair. He leaned one arm on the back of it, bowing his head upon his hand, and after a moment's pause turned to me again; his face was white now. "If that is your reason for not testifying I am obliged to you," he said. "But which is your real reason--to spare Neaera or to spare me?" "I have no more reason for sparing Neaera than that she is a woman; I have every reason for sparing you." Masters looked at me inquiringly.