Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           Havishamwasannounced;andwhenheentered,hewasfollowedbynolessthanthreepersons—onewasasharp-facedboyandonewasabigyoungmanandthethirdwastheEarlofDorincourt.

           Shesprangtoherfeetandactuallyutteredacryofterror.Itbrokefromherbeforeshehadtimetocheckit.Shehadthoughtofthesenew-comersasbeingthousandsofmilesaway,whenshehadeverthoughtofthematall,whichshehadscarcelydoneforyears.Shehadneverexpectedtoseethemagain.ItmustbeconfessedthatDickgrinnedalittlewhenhesawher.

           “Hello,Minna!”hesaid.

           Thebigyoungman—whowasBen—stoodstillaminuteandlookedather.

           “Doyouknowher?”Mr.Havishamasked,glancingfromonetotheother.

           “Yes,”saidBen.“Iknowherandsheknowsme.”Andheturnedhisbackonherandwentandstoodlookingoutofthewindow,asifthesightofherwashatefultohim,asindeeditwas.Thenthewoman,seeingherselfsobaffledandexposed,lostallcontroloverherselfandflewintosucharageasBenandDickhadoftenseenherinbefore.Dickgrinnedatriflemoreashewatchedherandheardthenamesshecalledthemallandtheviolentthreatsshemade,butBendidnotturntolookather.

           “Icansweartoherinanycourt,”hesaidtoMr.Havisham,“andIcanbringadozenotherswhowill.Herfatherisarespectablesortofman,thoughhe’slowdownintheworld.Hermotherwasjustlikeherself.She’sdead,buthe’salive,andhe’shonestenoughtobeashamedofher.He’lltellyouwhosheis,andwhethershemarriedmeornot.