Chapter VI

           WhenLordFauntleroywakenedinthemorning,—hehadnotwakenedatallwhenhehadbeencarriedtobedthenightbefore,—thefirstsoundshewasconsciousofwerethecracklingofawoodfireandthemurmurofvoices.

           “Youwillbecareful,Dawson,nottosayanythingaboutit,”heheardsomeonesay.“Hedoesnotknowwhysheisnottobewithhim,andthereasonistobekeptfromhim.”

           “Ifthem’shislordship’sorders,mem,”anothervoiceanswered,“they’llhavetobekep’,Isuppose.But,ifyou’llexcusetheliberty,mem,asit’sbetweenourselves,servantornoservant,allIhavetosayis,it’sacruelthing,—partingthatpoor,pretty,youngwidderedcre’tur’fromherownfleshandblood,andhimsuchalittlebeautyandanoblemanborn.JamesandThomas,mem,lastnightintheservants’hall,theybothof’emsayastheyneverseeanythinkintheirtwolives—noryetnoothergentlemaninlivery—likethatlittlefellow’sways,asinnercentan’politean’interestedasifhe’dbeensittingtherediningwithhisbestfriend,—andthetemperofa’angel,insteadofone(ifyou’llexcuseme,mem),asit’swellknown,isenoughtocurdleyourbloodinyourveinsattimes.Andastolooks,mem,whenwewasrungfor,Jamesandme,togointothelibraryandbringhimupstairs,andJamesliftedhimupinhisarms,whatwithhislittleinnercentfaceallredandrosy,andhislittleheadonJames’sshoulderandhishairhangingdown,allcurlyan’shinin’,aprettier,takinersightyou’dneverwishtosee.