"The name of Houseman is not unfamiliar to me," said he calmly, but with effort.
"And knew you Daniel Clarke?"
"What mean these questions?" said Aram, losing temper, and stamping violently on the ground; "is it thus that a man, free and guiltless, is to be questioned at the behest, or rather outrage of every lawless boy? Lead me to some authority meet for rae to answer;—for you, boy, my answer is contempt."
"Big words shall not save thee, murderer," cried Walter, breaking from his uncle, who in vain endeavoured to hold him; and laying his powerful grasp upon Aram's shoulder. Livid was the glare that shot from the Student's eye upon his assailer; and so fearfully did his features work and change with the passions within him, that even Walter felt a strange shudder thrill through his frame.
"Gentlemen," said Aram, at last, mastering his emotions, and resuming some portion of the remarkable dignity that characterised his usual
