unty?' exclaimed my lord. 'You
remember,' answered my young master, 'that a humble dependant of my
mother's family, who had been our governess in childhood, left me at
her death the earnings of her life. I believe they amount to nearly
a thousand pounds; I look to your lordship's honour either for the
principal or the yearly interest, as may please you best: further I ask
not from you.' 'And do you think, sir,' cried my lord, almost screaming
with passion, 'that upon that beggarly pittance you shall go forth to
dishonour more than it is yet dishonoured the name of my ancient house?
Do you think, sir, that that name to which you have no pretension,
though the law iniquitously grants it you, shall be sullied either
with trade or robbery? for to one or the other you must necessarily
be driven.' 'I foresaw your speech, my lord, and am prepared with an
answer. Far be it from me to thrust myself into any family, the head of
which thinks proper to reject me; far be it from me to honour my humble
fortunes with a name which I am as willing as yourself to disown: I
purpose, therefore, to adopt a new one; and, whatever may be my future
fate, that name will screen me both from your remembrance and the
world's knowledge. Are you satisfied now, my lord?'"

"His lordship did not answer for some minutes: at last, he said
sneeringly, 'Go, boy, go! I am delighted to hear you have decided so
well. Leave word with my steward where you wish your clothes to be sent
to you: Heaven forbid I should rob you either of your wardrobe or your
princely fortune. Wardour will transmit to you the latter, even to the
last penny, by the same conveyance as that which is honoured by the
former. And now good-morning, sir; yet stay, and mark my words: never
dare to re-enter my house, or to expect an iota more of fortune or
favour from me. And, hark you, sir: if you dare violate your word; if
you dare, during my life, at least, assume a name which you were born
to sully,--my curse, my deepest, heartiest, eternal curse, be upon
your head in this world and the next!' 'Fear not, my lord: my word is
pledged,' said the young gentleman; and the next moment I heard his
parting step in the hall."

"Sir, my heart was full (your glass is empty!) and my head spun round
as if I were on a precipice: but I was determined my young master should
not go till I had caught another glimpse of his dear face; so I gently
left the room I was in, and, hastening out of the house by a