Chapter IX

           Thefactwas,hislordshiptheEarlofDorincourtthoughtinthosedays,ofmanythingsofwhichhehadneverthoughtbefore,andallhisthoughtswereinonewayoranotherconnectedwithhisgrandson.Hispridewasthestrongestpartofhisnature,andtheboygratifieditateverypoint.Throughthispridehebegantofindanewinterestinlife.Hebegantotakepleasureinshowinghisheirtotheworld.Theworldhadknownofhisdisappointmentinhissons;sotherewasanagreeabletouchoftriumphinexhibitingthisnewLordFauntleroy,whocoulddisappointnoone.Hewishedthechildtoappreciatehisownpowerandtounderstandthesplendorofhisposition;hewishedthatothersshouldrealizeittoo.Hemadeplansforhisfuture.

           Sometimesinsecretheactuallyfoundhimselfwishingthathisownpastlifehadbeenabetterone,andthattherehadbeenlessinitthatthispure,childishheartwouldshrinkfromifitknewthetruth.Itwasnotagreeabletothinkhowthebeautiful,innocentfacewouldlookifitsownershouldbemadebyanychancetounderstandthathisgrandfatherhadbeencalledformanyayear“thewickedEarlofDorincourt.”Thethoughtevenmadehimfeelatriflenervous.Hedidnotwishtheboytofinditout.Sometimesinthisnewinterestheforgothisgout,andafterawhilehisdoctorwassurprisedtofindhisnoblepatient’shealthgrowingbetterthanhehadexpectediteverwouldbeagain.PerhapstheEarlgrewbetterbecausethetimedidnotpasssoslowlyforhim,andhehadsomethingtothinkofbesidehispainsandinfirmities.