The crowd on the boulevard was denser than ever.  The business offices and some of the shops were closing, and a vast army of employes, homeward bound, helped to swell the sea of humanity that pushed this way and that.

But Jefferson had no eyes for the crowd.  He was thinking of Shirley.  What singular, mysterious power had this girl acquired over him?  He, who had scoffed at the very idea of marriage only a few months before, now desired it ardently, anxiously!  Yes, that was what his life lacked—­such a woman to be his companion and helpmate!  He loved her—­there was no doubt of that.  His every thought, waking and sleeping, was of her, all his plans for the future included her.  He would win her if any man could.  But did she care for him?  Ah, that was the cruel, torturing uncertainty!  She appeared cold and indifferent, but perhaps she was only trying him.  Certainly she did not seem to dislike him.

The waiter returned with the vermouth and the newspapers.  All he could find were the London Times, which he pronounced T-e-e-m-s, and some issues of the New York Herald.  The papers were nearly a month old, but he did not care for that.  Jefferson idly turned over the pages of the Herald.  His thoughts were still running on Shirley, and he was paying little attention to what he was reading.  Suddenly, however, his eyes rested on a headline which made him sit up with a start.  It read as follows: 

JUDGE ROSSMORE IMPEACHED

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT TO BE TRIED ON BRIBERY CHARGES

The despatch, which was dated Washington two weeks back, went on to say that serious charges affecting the integrity of Judge Rossmore had been made the subject of Congressional inquiry, and that the result of the inquiry was so grave that a demand for impeachment would be at once sent to the Senate.  It added that the charges grew out of the recent decision in the Great Northwestern Mining Company case, it being alleged that Judge Rossmore had accepted a large sum of money on condition of his handing down a decision favourable to the company.

Jefferson was thunderstruck.  He read the despatch over again to make sure there was no mistake.  No, it was very plain—­Judge Rossmore of Madison Avenue.  But how preposterous, what a calumny!  The one judge on the bench at whom one could point and say with absolute conviction:  “There goes an honest man!” And this judge was to be tried on a charge of bribery!  What could be the meaning of it?  Something terrible must have happened since Shirley’s departure from home, that was certain.  It meant her immediate return to the States and, of course, his own.  He would see what could be done.  He would make his father use his great influence.  But how could he tell Shirley?  Impossible, he could not!  She would not believe him if he did.  She would probably hear from home in some other way.  They might cable.  In any case he would say nothing yet.  He paid for his vermouth and hurried away to his hotel to dress.