Thorn fixed a somewhat startled look upon the steady powerful eye of his opponent, and did not like its meaning.
"You must explain yourself, Sir," he said, haughtily.
"I am acquainted with all the particulars of this proceeding,
Mr. Thorn. If it goes abroad, so surely will they."
"She told you, did she?" said Thorn, in a sudden flash of fury.
Mr. Carleton was silent, with his air of imperturbable reserve, telling and expressing nothing but a cool independence that put the world at a distance.
"Ha!" said Thorn, "it is easy to see why our brave Englishman comes here to solicit 'terms' for his honest friend Rossitur he would not like the scandal of franking letters to Sing Sing. Come, Sir!" he said, snatching up the pistol, "our business is ended come, I say, or I wont wait for you."
But the pistol was struck from his hand.
"Not yet," said Mr. Carleton, calmly, "you shall have your turn at these mind, I promise you; but my business must be done first till then, let them alone."
"Well, what is it?" said Thorn, impatiently. "Rossitur will be a convict, I tell you; so you'll have to give up all thoughts of his niece, or pocket her shame along with her. What more have you got to say? that's all your business, I take it."
"You are mistaken, Mr. Thorn," said Mr. Carleton, gravely.