"
Juliet doubted this, as she knew Mallow did not coddle himself
in any way. However, she had seen the overcoat too often to
mistake to whom it belonged. Moreover, Cuthbert did not deny
that he had jumped the wall in the way she explained. "Well,
now you know all, what will you do?" she asked.
"I really can't say," said Mallow, who was trying to conceal
his agitation. "I can't think who took the knife out of my
room. It was in a trophy of arms on the wall, and I never
noticed that it was missing, till Jennings drew my attention
to the loss. Certainly Miss Loach was killed with that
knife."
"I am positive of that," said Juliet. "There is blood on the
handle. But you understand why I kept silence?"
"Yes. But there was really no need. I shall call and see
your mother and insist on her giving her consent to our
marriage. She has no reason to refuse. Do you know why she
objects?"
"No. She simply says she does not wish me to marry you."
"Did you not tell her what you have told me?"
"I did not. What was the use? It was because of my discovery
of the knife and seeing you, and receiving that letter, that I
refused to marry, and so fell in with my mother's plans."
"Juliet, you are not engaged to Arkwright?"
"No. I am engaged to you and you only. I mean I only
pretended that I would not marry you. My mother thought I was
obeying her, but I was really shielding you on account of that
letter.
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