"Hum--I suppose it is not about yet," said Thorn composedly. "No--you haven't heard it."
"But what, man?" said Charlton,--"let's hear your news, for I must be off."
"Why--but it is no more than rumour yet--but it is said that strange things are coming to light about a name that used to be held in very high respect."
"In this city?"
"In this city?--yes--it is said proceedings are afoot against one of our oldest citizens, on charge of a very grave offence."
"Who?--and what offence? what do you mean?"
"Is it a secret, Mr. Thorn?" said Mrs. Decatur.
"If you have not heard, perhaps it is as well not to mention names too soon;--if it comes out it will be all over directly; possibly the family may hush it up, and in that case the less said the better; but those have it in hand that will not let it slip through their fingers."
Mrs. Decatur turned away, saying "how shocking such things were;" and Thorn, with a smile which did not however light up his face, said,
"You may be off, Charlton, with no concern for the bright eyes you leave behind you--I will endeavour to atone for my negligence elsewhere, by my mindfulness of them."