Oh! poor boy! What will become of him?
For pity's sake, Dr.
Jervis, tell me what is going to happen." What could I do?
I had heard Thorndyke's words of encouragement to Reuben and knew my colleague well enough to feel sure that he meant all he had said.

Doubtless my proper course would have been to keep my own counsel and put Miss Gibson off with cautious ambiguities.

But I could not; she was worthy of more confidence than that.
"You must not be unduly alarmed about the future," I said.

"I have it from Dr.Thorndyke that he is convinced of Reuben's innocence, and is hopeful of being able to make it clear to the world.

But I did not have this to repeat," I added, with a slight qualm of conscience.
"I know," she said softly, "and I thank you from my heart." "And as to this present misfortune," I continued, "you must not let it distress you too much.