Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter IV
ImyselfwillgototheCastleassoonaswehavedined,andinformtheEarlofourarrival.”
Mrs.ErrolglanceddownatCedric.Hewaslyinginagraceful,carelessattitudeupontheblack-and-yellowskin;thefireshoneonhishandsome,flushedlittleface,andonthetumbled,curlyhairspreadoutontherug;thebigcatwaspurringindrowsycontent,—shelikedthecaressingtouchofthekindlittlehandonherfur.
Mrs.Errolsmiledfaintly.
“Hislordshipdoesnotknowallthatheistakingfromme,”shesaidrathersadly.Thenshelookedatthelawyer.“Willyoutellhim,ifyouplease,”shesaid,“thatIshouldrathernothavethemoney?”
“Themoney!”Mr.Havishamexclaimed.“Youcannotmeantheincomeheproposedtosettleuponyou!”
“Yes,”sheanswered,quitesimply;“IthinkIshouldrathernothaveit.Iamobligedtoacceptthehouse,andIthankhimforit,becauseitmakesitpossibleformetobenearmychild;butIhavealittlemoneyofmyown,—enoughtolivesimplyupon,—andIshouldrathernottaketheother.Ashedislikesmesomuch,IshouldfeelalittleasifIweresellingCedrictohim.IamgivinghimuponlybecauseIlovehimenoughtoforgetmyselfforhisgood,andbecausehisfatherwouldwishittobeso.”
Mr.Havishamrubbedhischin.
“Thisisverystrange,”hesaid.“Hewillbeveryangry.Hewon’tunderstandit.”
“Ithinkhewillunderstanditafterhethinksitover,”shesaid.
