The slender figure of the young teacher took the place of the fallen leader, and the excitement made the house very quiet.

Ralph dreaded the loss of prestige he would suffer if he should be easily spelled down.

And at the moment of rising he saw in the darkest corner the figure of a well-dressed young man sitting in the shadow.

Why should his evil genius haunt him?
But by a strong effort he turned his attention away from Dr.Small, and listened carefully to the words which the Squire did not pronounce very distinctly, spelling them with extreme deliberation.

This gave him an air of hesitation which disappointed those on his own side.