Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter X
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Itwasasunlikethemethodicoldlawyertobeagitatedbyanythingasitwastobelate,butitwasevidentthathehadbeendisturbed.Atdinnerheatescarcelyanything,andtwoorthreetimes,whenhewasspokento,hestartedasifhisthoughtswerefaraway.Atdessert,whenFauntleroycamein,helookedathimmorethanonce,nervouslyanduneasily.Fauntleroynotedthelookandwonderedatit.HeandMr.Havishamwereonfriendlyterms,andtheyusuallyexchangedsmiles.Thelawyerseemedtohaveforgottentosmilethatevening.
Thefactwas,heforgoteverythingbutthestrangeandpainfulnewsheknewhemusttelltheEarlbeforethenightwasover—thestrangenewswhichheknewwouldbesoterribleashock,andwhichwouldchangethefaceofeverything.Ashelookedaboutatthesplendidroomsandthebrilliantcompany,—atthepeoplegatheredtogether,heknew,morethattheymightseethebright-hairedlittlefellowneartheEarl’schairthanforanyotherreason,—ashelookedattheproudoldmanandatlittleLordFauntleroysmilingathisside,hereallyfeltquiteshaken,notwithstandingthathewasahardenedoldlawyer.Whatablowitwasthathemustdealthem!
Hedidnotexactlyknowhowthelong,superbdinnerended.Hesatthroughitasifhewereinadream,andseveraltimeshesawtheEarlglanceathiminsurprise.
Butitwasoveratlast,andthegentlemenjoinedtheladiesinthedrawing-room.
