“My dear Claudius—­” he rose and extended his hand to the young man with a gesture that had in it much of dignity and something of pride.  “My dear Claudius, I shall all my life remember that you honoured me with your confidence.  I accepted it as a token of friendship, but I am now able to look upon it as a very great distinction.”

“And I, Duke, shall never forget that you believed in me on my own merits, before you were really able to swear that I was myself.”  Claudius had also risen, and their hands remained clasped a moment.  Then Claudius applied himself to rearranging the contents of his box; and the Duke walked up and down the room, glancing from time to time at the Doctor.  He stopped suddenly in his walk.

“But—­goodness gracious! why have you kept this a secret?” he asked, as if suddenly recollecting himself.

“My mother,” said Claudius, “was too proud to come forward and claim what my father, but for his untimely death, would have given her in a few months.  As for me, I have been contented in my life, and would have been unwilling to cause pain to any one by claiming my rights.  My mother died when I was a mere child, and left these papers sealed, directing me not to open them until I should be twenty-one years old.  And so when I opened them, I made up my mind to do nothing about it.”

“It is not easy to understand you, Claudius; but I will swear to anything you like.”

“Thank you; I am very grateful.”

“Do not speak of that.  I am proud to be of service.  By the by, the present—­the present incumbent is childless, I believe.  He must be your father’s brother?”

“Yes,” said Claudius.  “Should he die, I would not hesitate any longer.”

“No indeed, I hope not.  It is a shame as it is.”

“By the by,” said Claudius, who had put away his box; “why did you not go to Newport to-day?  I meant to go on to-morrow and meet you there.  This business had put it out of my head.”

“Lady Victoria and the Countess both wanted to stay another day.”

“Is the Countess ill?” asked Claudius.  “Or do you think she would see me this evening?”

“I do not think there is anything especial the matter.  She will very likely see you after dinner.  As for me, I am hungry; I have walked all over New York this afternoon.”

“Very well, let us dine.  You know New York, and must select the place.”

Arm-in-arm they went away together, and the Duke introduced Claudius to the glories of Delmonico’s.

CHAPTER XIII.