Маленький лорд Фаунтлерой

           Itwouldbeveryawkwardifthechildhadbadmannersandadispositiontolikelowcompany.OneofthebitteresthumiliationsoftheoldEarl’slifehadbeenthathistwoeldersonshadbeenfondoflowcompany.Coulditbe,hethought,thatthisboysharedtheirbadqualitiesinsteadofhisfather’sgoodqualities?

           HewasthinkinguneasilyaboutthisashetalkedtoMrs.Erroluntilthechildcameintotheroom.Whenthedooropened,heactuallyhesitatedamomentbeforelookingatCedric.Itwould,perhaps,haveseemedveryqueertoagreatmanypeoplewhoknewhim,iftheycouldhaveknownthecurioussensationsthatpassedthroughMr.Havishamwhenhelookeddownattheboy,whoranintohismother’sarms.Heexperiencedarevulsionoffeelingwhichwasquiteexciting.Herecognizedinaninstantthatherewasoneofthefinestandhandsomestlittlefellowshehadeverseen.

           Hisbeautywassomethingunusual.Hehadastrong,lithe,gracefullittlebodyandamanlylittleface;heheldhischildishheadup,andcarriedhimselfwithabraveair;hewassolikehisfatherthatitwasreallystartling;hehadhisfather’sgoldenhairandhismother’sbrowneyes,buttherewasnothingsorrowfulortimidinthem.Theywereinnocentlyfearlesseyes;helookedasifhehadneverfearedordoubtedanythinginhislife.

           “Heisthebest-bred-lookingandhandsomestlittlefellowIeversaw,”waswhatMr.Havishamthought.Whathesaidaloudwassimply,“AndsothisislittleLordFauntleroy.”

           And,afterthis,themorehesawoflittleLordFauntleroy,themoreofasurprisehefoundhim.