but partly also from that temperament at once careless and procrastinating, which, more often than vice, loses men the advantage of reputation.
"Then in your own mind, and from your knowledge of him," renewed the Curate, "you would suppose that Clarke's disappearance was intentional; that though nothing has since been heard of him, none of the blacker rumours afloat were well founded?"
"I confess, Sir, begging this gentleman's pardon who you say is a relation, I confess I see no reason to think otherwise."
"Was Mr. Aram, Eugene Aram, ever a guest of Clarke's? Did you ever see them together?"
"Never at this house. I fancy Houseman once presented Mr. Aram to Clarke; and that they may have met and conversed some two or three times, not more, I believe; they were scarcely congenial spirits, Sir."
Walter having now recovered his self-possession, entered into the conversation; and endeavoured by as minute an examination as his inge-
