Has he made me the subject of this morning's conversation?"
My brother's countenance testified no surprise at my address. The
benignity of his looks was nowise diminished.
"It is true," said he, "your conduct was the subject of our
discourse. I am your friend as well as your brother. There is no
human being whom I love with more tenderness and whose welfare is
nearer my heart. Judge, then, with what emotions I listened to
Pleyel's story. I expect and desire you to vindicate yourself from
aspersions so foul, if vindication be possible."
The tone with which he uttered the last words affected me deeply.
"If vindication be possible!" repeated I. "From what you know, do
you deem a formal vindication necessary? Can you harbor for a
moment the belief of my guilt?"
He shook his head with an air of acute anguish. "I have
struggled," said he, "to dismiss that belief. You speak before a
judge who will profit by any pretense to acquit you who is ready to
question his own senses when they plead against you."
These words incited a new set of thoughts in my mind. I began to
suspect that Pleyel had built his accusations on some foundation
unknown to me.
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