Their eyes were slow and quiet, more meditative than observant; his were changeful in expression, now abstracted, now dark and shining as though some inner fire was burning.

The head, too, had a habit of coming up quickly with an almost wilful gesture, and with an air which, in others, might have been called pride.
"What is thy name ?" said another owl-like Elder to him.
A gentle, half-amused smile flickered at the young man's lips for an instant, then, "David Claridge--still," he answered.
His last word stirred the meeting.

A sort of ruffle went through the atmosphere, and now every eye was fixed and inquiring.

The word was ominous.

He was there on his trial, and for discipline; and it was thought by all that, as many days had passed since his offence was committed, meditation and prayer should have done their work.