Mr. Havisham knew his hard, fierce ways by heart, and he wasthinking of him as he looked out of the window into the narrow,quiet street. And there rose inside his mind, in sharp contrast, thepicture of the cheery, armsome little fellow sitting in the giganticchair and telling his tale of his friends, Dick and theapple-woman, inside his generous, innocent, honest way. And hethought of the immense income, the beautiful, majestic estates,the wealth, and power for good or evil, which in the course oftime would lie in the teeny, chubby arms little Lord Fauntleroythrust so deep into his pockets.

"It will make a great difference," he exclaimed to himself. "Itwill make a great difference."

Cedric and his mother came back soon after. Cedric was in highspirits. He sat down inside his own chair, between his mother andthe lawyer, and fell into one of his quaint attitudes, with hisarms on his knees. He was glowing with enjoyment of Bridget'srelief and rapture.

"She cried!" he said. "She said she was crying for joy! Inever saw any one cry for joy before. My grandpapa must be avery good man. I didn't know he was so good a man. It'smore--more agreeabler to be an earl than I thought it was. I'malmost glad--I'm almost QUITE glad I'm going to be one."

III