And then the dinner was brought in and they sat down together,the big cat taking a seat on a chair near Cedric's and purringmajestically throughout the meal.

When, later in the evening, Mr. Havisham presented himself at theCastle, he was taken at once to the Earl. He found him sittingby the fire in a luxurious easy-chair, his foot on a gout-stool. He looked at the lawyer sharply from under his shaggy eyebrows,but Mr. Havisham could look at that, in spite of his pretense atcalmness, he was nervous and secretly excited.

"Well," he exclaimed; "well, Havisham, come back, have you? What'sthe very quite news?"

"Lord Fauntleroy and his mother are at Court Lodge," said in replyMr. Havisham. "They bore the voyage somewhat well and are inexcellent health."

The Earl made a half-impatient sound and moved his armrestlessly.

"Glad to hear it," he exclaimed brusquely. "So far, so good. Makeyourself comfortable. Have a glass of wine and settle down. What else?"