"I will order some supper for you at once," said Mrs. Danforth, rising.
"Certainly you don't mean to impose upon me the duty of eating two suppers, after such a tedious time in court," he added, with a laugh. "No, I need nothing, thank you. I stopped at a restaurant before I came out of the city."
The conversation at length turned upon the poor criminal. Mrs. Danforth being very anxious to hear the particulars, the officer kindly complied with her request; Mr. Danforth, taking Harry in his arms and walking the room, all the while endeavoring to attract the notice of the other without being seen by his wife.
After describing his really loathsome appearance, his long, shaggy beard, his uncombed hair, and his look of defiance as he listened to his sentence, the gentleman, finding his hearers were greatly interested, went on to give an account of his first acquaintance with the culprit.
"It was in Calcutta," he began; "I am quite sure of the fact, though he persists in saying that he is a Spaniard. At that time he called himself—"
"Captain Greyson!" cried out Mr. Danforth, in a quick, sharp voice, "do come and tell me whether this is a good picture of St. Peter's church, at Rome; you have been there often, I suppose."
The gentleman complied, though evidently wondering not a little at the abruptness of the host.
"In mercy to us all," whispered Mr. Danforth, turning very pale, "say nothing more; I will explain at some future time;" then added aloud in a forced voice, "It is said to be very fine. I have long wanted to ask some one who would be frank enough to give me his real opinion."
"Excuse me, Ella," he said, as he returned to his seat, and hiding his face in the neck of the boy, "but really I find myself so nervous and excitable to-night, in consequence of my long confinement, that I may be guilty of some breach of etiquette."
The lady glanced anxiously at her husband, and for the first time noticing his haggard appearance, became really concerned for fear he would be ill.