Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой
Chapter XII
”
“Instrikingcontrasttowhathisgrandfatherwas,eh?”saidhislordshipsardonically.
“Ihavenothadthepleasureofknowinghisgrandfather,”repliedMrs.Errol,“butIknowmylittleboybelieves——”Shestoppedshortamoment,lookingquietlyintohisface,andthensheadded,“IknowthatCedriclovesyou.”
“Wouldhehavelovedme,”saidtheEarldryly,“ifyouhadtoldhimwhyIdidnotreceiveyouattheCastle?”
“No,”answeredMrs.Errol,“Ithinknot.ThatwaswhyIdidnotwishhimtoknow.”
“Well,”saidmylordbrusquely,“therearefewwomenwhowouldnothavetoldhim.”
Hesuddenlybegantowalkupanddowntheroom,pullinghisgreatmustachemoreviolentlythanever.
“Yes,heisfondofme,”hesaid,“andIamfondofhim.Ican’tsayIeverwasfondofanythingbefore.Iamfondofhim.Hepleasedmefromthefirst.Iamanoldman,andwastiredofmylife.Hehasgivenmesomethingtolivefor.Iamproudofhim.Iwassatisfiedtothinkofhistakinghisplacesomedayastheheadofthefamily.”
HecamebackandstoodbeforeMrs.Errol.
“Iammiserable,”hesaid.“Miserable!”
Helookedasifhewas.Evenhispridecouldnotkeephisvoicesteadyorhishandsfromshaking.Foramomentitalmostseemedasifhisdeep,fierceeyeshadtearsinthem.“PerhapsitisbecauseIammiserablethatIhavecometoyou,”hesaid,quiteglaringdownather.“Iusedtohateyou;Ihavebeenjealousofyou.Thiswretched,disgracefulbusinesshaschangedthat.
