Stranica 79 [79]
LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY. 59
EE EEE Sa =. ae a = a
“This is very strange,” he said. "He will be very angry. He
wont understand it.” |
‘“T think he will understand it after he thinks it over,” she said.
‘IT do not really need the money, and why should I accept luxuries
from the man who hates me so much that he takes my little boy
from me — his sons child?”
Mr. Havisham looked reflective for a few moments.
‘‘T will deliver your message,” he said afterward.
And then the dinner was brought in and they sat down together,
the big cat taking a seat on a chair near Cedric’s and purring
majestically throughout the meal.
When, later in the evening, Mr. Havisham presented himself at
the Castle, he was taken at once to the Earl. He found him sitting
by the fire in a luxurious easy-chair, his foot on a gout-stool. He
looked at the lawyer sharply from under his shaggy eyebrows, but
Mr. Havisham could see that, in spite of his pretense at calmness,
he was nervous and secretly excited.
“Well,” he said; "" well, Havisham, come back, have you?
What s the news?”
‘Lord Fauntleroy and his mother are at Court Lodge,” replied
Mr. Havisham. ‘‘ [hey bore the voyage very well and are in excel¬
lent health.”
The Earl made a half-impatient sound and moved his hand
restlessly.
‘Glad to hear it," he said brusquely. ‘So far, so good. Make
yourself comfortable. Have a glass of wine and settle down. What
else?”
‘His lordship remains with his mother to-night. To-morrow I
will bring him to the Castle.”
The Earl’s elbow was resting on the arm of his chair; he put
his hand up and shielded his eyes with it.