Oldal 59 [59]
LILTILZE LORD HAUNITLEROY. 39
and self-indulgence had only brought him ill health and irritability
and a dislike of the world, which certainly disliked him. In spite of
all his splendor, there was never a more unpopular old nobleman
than the Earl of Dorincourt, and there could scarcely have been a
more lonely one. He could fill his castle with guests if he chose.
He could give great dinners and splendid hunting parties; but he
knew that in secret the people who would accept his invitations were
afraid of his frowning old face and sarcastic, biting speeches. He
had a cruel tongue and a bitter nature, and he took pleasure in
sneering at people and making them feel uncomfortable, when he had
the power to do so, because they were sensitive or proud or timid.
Mr. Havisham knew his hard, fierce ways by heart, and he was
thinking of him as he looked out of the window into the narrow,
quiet street. And there rose in his mind, in sharp contrast, the
picture of the cheery, handsome little fellow sitting in the big chair
and telling his story of his friends, Dick and the apple-wcman, in
his generous, innocent, honest way. And he thought of the immense
income, the beautiful, majestic estates, the wealth, and power for
good or evil, which in the course of time would lie in the small,
chubby hands little Lord Fauntleroy thrust so deep into his pockets.
“Tt will make a great difference,” he said to himself. “It will
make a great difference.”
Cedric and his mother came back soon after. Cedric was in high
spirits. He sat down in his own chair, between his mother and the
lawyer, and fell into one of his quaint attitudes, with his hands on his
knees. He was glowing with enjoyment of Bridget’s relief and rapture.
“She cried!” he said. ‘She said she was crying for joy! I
never saw any one cry for joy before. My grandpapa must be a
very good man. I did nt know he was so good a man. It’s
more — more agreeabler to be an earl than I thought it was. I’m
almost glad —I’m almost guz¢e glad I’m going to be one.”