Stranica 200 [200]
OCR
180 vs EZÉ LORD FAUNTLEROY. “My boy!" he said—and, if you ll believe it, his very voice was queer, almost shaky and a little broken and hoarse, not at all what you would expect an Earl's voice to be, though he spoke more decidedly and peremptorily even than before,— “ Yes, you ‘ll be my boy as long as I live; and, by George, sometimes I feel as if you were the only boy | had ever had.” Cedric’s face turned red to the roots of his hair; it turned red with relief and pleasure. He put both his hands deep into his pockets and looked squarely into his noble relatives eyes. “Do you?” he said. ‘ Well, then, I don’t care about the earl part at all. I don’t care whether I’m an earl or not. | thought — you see, I thought the one that was going to be the Earl would have to be your boy, too, and—and I could n't be. That was what made me feel so queer.” The Earl put his hand on his shoulder and drew him nearer. ‘They shall take nothing from you that I can hold for you,” he said, drawing his breath hard. "(I wont believe yet that they can take anything from you. You were made for the place, and — well, you may fill it still. But whatever comes, you shall have all that I can give you—all!” It scarcely seemed as if he were speaking to a child, there was such determination in his face and voice; it was more as if he were making a promise to himself—and perhaps he was. He had never before known how deep a hold upon him his fondness for the boy and his pride in him had taken. He had never seen his strength and good qualities and beauty as he seemed to see them now. To his obstinate nature it seemed impossible—more than impossible—to give up what he had so set his heart upon. And he had determined that he would not give it up without a fierce struggle. Within a few days after she had seen Mr. Havisham, the woman who claimed to be Lady Fauntleroy presented herself at the
