As surely as that we--I, Thorn, Afy and Hallijohn, must one day meet together before our Maker, I have told you the truth." The words were solemn, their tone earnest, and Mr.Carlyle remained silent, his thoughts full.
"To what end, else, should I say this ?" went on Richard.

"It can do me no service; all the assertion I could put forth would not go a jot toward clearing me." "No, it would not," assented Mr.Carlyle.

"If ever you are cleared, it must be by proofs.

But--I will keep my thought on the matter, and should anything arise----What sort of a man was this Thorn ?" "In age he might be three or four and twenty, tall and slender; an out-and-out aristocrat." "And his connections?
Where did he live ?" "I never knew.

Afy, in her boasting way, would say he had come from Swainson, a ten mile ride." "From Swainson ?" quickly interrupted Mr.Carlyle.
"Could it be one of the Thorns of Swainson ?" "None of the Thorns that I know.