14 Prisoner of Love

hardly think I deserve it. I can explain the matter if you will allow me. I met your niece accidentally in the orchard three weeks ago and heard her play. I thought her music very wonderful and I fell into the habit of coming to the or- chard in the evenings to hear it. I had no thought of harming her in any way, Mr. Gordon. I thought of her as a mere child, and a child who was doubly sacred be— cause of her affliction. But recently I—I —it occurred to me that I was not behav— ing quite honourably in encouraging her to meet me thus. Yesterday evening I asked her to bring me here and introduce me to you and her aunt. We would have come then if you had been at home. As you were not we arranged to come to- night.”

“ Yes, she told us so,” said Thomas Gordon slowly, speaking in a strong, vi— brant voice. “ We did not believe her. But your story agrees with hers, and I begin to think that we were too harsh with

163