At sight of my face they both rose and the "O my dear" from Miss Charity and the "God bless you, child," from Miss Thankful showed that both hearts were yet warm.

Gradually I introduced the topic of their nephew; gradually I approached the vital question of the disgrace.
The result upset all my growing hopes.

He had never told them just what the disgrace was.

They really knew nothing about his life after his early boyhood.

He had come home that one time when fortune so suddenly smiled upon them and they thought then that he would tell them something; but the disappointment which had followed effectually closed his lips, and he went away after a few days of fruitless search, not to approach them again till just before he took up the position of secretary to their great neighbor.