“That only enhances your kindness, Mr. Norton.”

“Why, my lord, I met Dunroe in Paris—­no matter, I took him out of some difficulties, and prevented him from getting into more.  He had been set by a clique of—­but I will not dwell on this, it looks like egotism—­I said before, I took a fancy to him—­for it frequently happens, my good lord, that you take a fancy to the person you have served.”

“True enough, indeed, Mr. Norton.”

“I am fond of travelling, and was about to make my fourth or fifth tour, when I met your son, surrounded by a crew of—­but I have alluded to this a moment ago.  At all events, I saw his danger—­a young man exposed to temptation—­the most alluring and perilous.  Well, my lord, mine was a name of some weight and authority, affording just the kind of countenance and protection your son required.  Well, I travelled with him, guarded him, guided him, for as to any inconvenience I may myself have experienced in taking him by the most comprehensive routes, and some other matters, they are not worth naming.  Of course I introduced him to some of the most distinguished men of France—­to the Marquis De Fogleville, for instance, the Count Rapscallion, Baron Snottellin, and some others of the first rank and nobility of the country.  The pleasure of his society, however, more than compensated me for all.”

“But, pardon me, Mr. Norton, I believe the title and family of De Fogleville have been extinct.  The last of them was guillotined 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?”