He could not imagine what the squire could have to say about Mrs.Goddard, unless, like poor John, he had fallen in love with her and wanted to marry her; which appeared improbable.
"What is it ?" he said sharply.
"I daresay you do not know that I am acquainted with her story," began Mr.Juxon.

"Do not be surprised.

She saw fit to tell it me herself." "Indeed ?" exclaimed the vicar in considerable astonishment.

In that case, he argued quickly, Mr.Juxon was not thinking of marrying her.
"Yes--it is not necessary to go into that," said Mr.Juxon quickly.

"The thing I want to tell you is this--Goddard the forger has escaped--" "Escaped ?" echoed the vicar in real alarm.