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LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY. 115
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ing and being touched by the friendly warm-heartedness of which it
seemed to speak. She had scarcely passed through the stone porch
into the church before the great event of the day happened. The
carriage from the Castle, with its handsome horses and tall liveried
servants, bowled around the corner and down the green lane.
‘Here they come!” went from one looker-on to another.
And then the carriage drew up, and Thomas stepped down and
opened the door, and a little boy, dressed in black velvet, and with
a splendid mop of bright waving hair, jumped out.
Every man, woman, and child looked curiously upon him.
‘He s the Captain over again!” said those of the on-lookers
who remembered his father. ‘‘ He s the Captain’s self, to the life!”
He stood there in the sunlight looking up at the Earl, as
Thomas helped that nobleman out, with the most affectionate inter¬
est that could be imagined. The instant he could help, he put out
his hand and offered his shoulder as if he had been seven feet high.
It was plain enough to every one that however it might be with
other people, the Earl of Dorincourt struck no terror into the breast
of his grandson.
‘Just lean on me,” they heard him say. " How glad the people
are to see you, and how well they all seem to know you !”
“Take off your cap, Fauntleroy,” said the Earl. ‘They are
bowing to you.” |
“To me!” cried Fauntleroy, whipping off his cap in a moment,
baring his bright head to the crowd and turning shining, puzzled
eyes on them as he tried to bow to every one at once.
“ God bless your lordship !” said the courtesying, red-cloaked old
woman who had spoken to his mother; ‘long life to you!”
“Thank you, ma’am,” said Fauntleroy. And then they went into
the church, and were looked at there, on their way up the aisle to
the square, red-cushioned and curtained pew. When Fauntleroy was