T first I must ask you to listen to me. I have come here to see Dorothy, to try to understand what happened, to find out if there is any way to make amends for the past. I have been living in torment, not knowing the truth, not knowing if she was guilty or if there was some mistake." Lady Mallyan's face hardened again. "There was no mistake, Willie. She confessed to it. She killed your brother in a fit of rage. There is nothing more to understand." "But I have seen her, spoken to her," Willie insisted. "She is not the woman you describe. She is full of remorse, full of sorrow. I cannot believe she is the monster you make her out to be." "She is a danger to you, to herself, to everyone," Lady Mallyan said coldly. "You must leave this place, Willie. Come back with me. We can put this behind us." Willie shook his head. "I cannot leave without knowing the truth. I need to speak to her, to hear her side of the story." Lady Mallyan sighed, a sound of exasperation and resignation. "Very well. Speak to her if you must. But do not expect to find anything different from what you already know." With that, she turned and walked back toward the house, leaving Willie standing in the road, his face a mask of determination and sorrow. Mabin, who had been listening to the exchange with bated breath, felt a surge of sympathy for Willie. She stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "Mr. Banks, I mean, Mr. Mallyan, if you want to speak to Mrs. Dale, I can help you. I know she wants to see you too." Willie looked at her, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Miss Rose. I would appreciate that very much." Together, they walked back toward "The Towers," where the truth, whatever it might be, awaited them.
By Florence Warden · First published 1908 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Supernatural Mystery, Victorian Fiction · 15 chapters