You'll not believe what he says, will you? Promise me that,
without proof, without better proof than he can give. However it may
appear, I am not guilty; indeed I am not."

"What are you talking about?" exclaimed Ernest, thinking that poor Ellis
had gone mad. "I have never heard a word against you. Nobody has said
anything of which you might complain. Had anyone, I would not believe
him, and I am sure your other friends would not. Everybody who really
knows you likes you, trusts you, and believes you to be an excellent
fellow. You have taken some fancy into your head. Get rid of it, do."

"It is no fancy, indeed it is not," said Ellis, more calmly. "Perhaps I
was wrong to say anything about the matter. I know that there is a
French saying, _Qui s'excuse s'accuse_. I'll not excuse myself more
than I have done to you. Should anything be said against me, I may rest
sure of your friendship at all events. More I do not desire."

"Indeed, my dear fellow, you may. Whatever others may say, I will not
believe you capable of doing anything of which you need be ashamed,"
said Ernest, warmly pressing his friend's hand.

"Thankyou, thank you!" replied Ellis; "you make me feel less miserable.
Still your friendship will be sorely tried. Of that I am certain."

Ernest, during all the time Ellis was speaking, was debating in his mind
whether or not he was labouring under some strange hallucination.
"Whatever it is that you fear, do not talk about it," he said, as soon
as Ellis had ceased speaking. "It will do no good, and can only make
people think things which are very likely far from the truth. I would
advise you not to talk even to me about it. Come and have a good game
of cricket, or take a turn at fencing, or broadsword, or come and learn
golf. There is a Scotch fellow, Macgreggor, who has come this half, and
has undertaken to teach us, and it has become all the rage. It's a
capital game for summer, and gives one plenty of exercise. One game or
the other will soon knock all such notions out of your head."

Poor Ellis smiled faintly as he replied, "I am afraid not, but I will
try to follow your advice. I will keep up my spirits, and perhaps
matters will turn out better than I have a right to expect. I should
like to learn golf, if you are doing so. I have once or twice seen it
played at Blackheath, and I should think that it would suit me better
even than cricket."

"That's right, that's right," said Er