ed not long
since for an attempt to steal the crown jewels of France, I think."

"True, my lord, you are perfectly right, the unhappy man was an insane
legitimist; but the title and estates have been revived in the person of
another member of the family, the present marquis, who is a nobleman of
high consideration and honor."

"Oh, indeed! I was not aware of that, Mr. Norton," said his lordship. "I
am quite surprised at the extent of your generosity and goodness to my
son."

"But, my lord, it is not my intention to give up Dunroe or abandon the
poor fellow yet awhile. I am determined to teach him economy in managing
his affairs, to make him know the value of time, of money, and of
system, in everything pertaining to Life and business. Nor do I regret
what I have done, nor what I propose to do; far from it, my lord. All
I ask is, that he will always look upon me as a friend or an elder
brother, and consult me, confide in me, and come to me, in fact, or
write to me, whenever he may think I can be of service to him."

"And in his name, of course, I may at least thank you, Mr. Norton,"
replied the Earl, with a slight irony in his manner, "not only for all
you have done, but for all you propose to do, as you say."

Norton shook his head peremptorily.

"Pardon me, my lord, no thanks. I am overpaid by the pleasure of ranking
Dunroe among the number of my friends."

"You are too kind, indeed, Mr. Norton; and I trust my son will be duly
grateful, as he is duly sensible of all you have done for him. By
the way, Mr. Norton, you alluded to Connaught. You are, I presume, an
Irishman?"

"I am an Irishman, my lord."

"Of course, sir, I make no inquiry as to your individual family. I am
sure from what I have seen of you they must have been, and are, persons
of worth and consideration; but I wished to ask if the name be a
numerous one in Ireland, or rather, in your part of it--Connaught?"

"Numerous, my lord, no, not very numerous, but of the first
respectability."

"Pray, is your father living, Mr. Norton? If he be, why don't you bring
him among us? And if you have any brother, I need scarcely say what
pleasure it would afford me, having, as you are aware, I presume, some
influence with ministers, to do anything I could for him, should he
require it; probably in the shape of a foreign appointment, or something
that way. Anything, Mr. Norton, to repay a portion of what is due to you
by my family."

"I thank your lordship