Chapter VIII

           LordDorincourthadoccasiontowearhisgrimsmilemanyatimeasthedayspassedby.Indeed,ashisacquaintancewithhisgrandsonprogressed,heworethesmilesooftenthatthereweremomentswhenitalmostlostitsgrimness.ThereisnodenyingthatbeforeLordFauntleroyhadappearedonthescene,theoldmanhadbeengrowingverytiredofhislonelinessandhisgoutandhisseventyyears.Aftersolongalifeofexcitementandamusement,itwasnotagreeabletositaloneeveninthemostsplendidroom,withonefootonagout-stool,andwithnootherdiversionthanflyingintoarage,andshoutingatafrightenedfootmanwhohatedthesightofhim.TheoldEarlwastoocleveramannottoknowperfectlywellthathisservantsdetestedhim,andthatevenifhehadvisitors,theydidnotcomeforloveofhim—thoughsomefoundasortofamusementinhissharp,sarcastictalk,whichsparednoone.Solongashehadbeenstrongandwell,hehadgonefromoneplacetoanother,pretendingtoamusehimself,thoughhehadnotreallyenjoyedit;andwhenhishealthbegantofail,hefelttiredofeverythingandshuthimselfupatDorincourt,withhisgoutandhisnewspapersandhisbooks.Buthecouldnotreadallthetime,andhebecamemoreandmore“bored,”ashecalledit.Hehatedthelongnightsanddays,andhegrewmoreandmoresavageandirritable.AndthenFauntleroycame;andwhentheEarlsawhim,fortunatelyforthelittlefellow,thesecretprideofthegrandfatherwasgratifiedattheoutset.