He could not help betraying that he bore in mind the main incidents of the festival over-night; for when he had inquired who it might be that had reduced his friend to wear mourning, and heard that it was his father (spoken by Evan with a quiet sigh), Mr. Raikes tapped an egg, and his flexible brows exhibited a whole Bar of contending arguments within.  More than for the love of pleasure, he had spent his money to be taken for a gentleman.  He naturally thought highly of the position, having bought it.  But Raikes appreciated a capital fellow, and felt warmly to Evan, who, moreover, was feeding him.

If not born a gentleman, this Harrington had the look of one, and was pleasing in female eyes, as the landlady, now present, bore witness, wishing them good morning, and hoping they had slept well.  She handed to Evan his purse, telling him she had taken it last night, thinking it safer for the time being in her pocket; and that the chairman of the feast paid for all in the Green Dragon up to twelve that day, he having been born between the hours, and liking to make certain:  and that every year he did the same; and was a seemingly rough old gentleman, but as soft-hearted as a chicken.  His name must positively not be inquired, she said; to be thankful to him was to depart, asking no questions.

‘And with a dart in the bosom from those eyes—­those eyes!’ cried Jack, shaking his head at the landlady’s resistless charms.

’I hope you was not one of the gentlemen who came and disturbed us last night, Sir?’ she turned on him sharply.

Jack dallied with the imputation, but denied his guilt.

‘No; it wasn’t your voice,’ continued the landlady.  ’A parcel of young puppies calling themselves gentlemen!  I know him.  It’s that young Mr. Laxley:  and he the nephew of a Bishop, and one of the Honourables! and then the poor gals get the blame.  I call it a shame, I do.  There’s that poor young creature up-stairs-somebody’s victim she is:  and nobody’s to suffer but herself, the little fool!’

‘Yes,’ said Raikes.  ‘Ah! we regret these things in after life!’ and he looked as if he had many gentlemanly burdens of the kind on his conscience.

’It ‘s a wonder, to my mind,’ remarked the landlady, when she had placidly surveyed Mr. Raikes, ’how young gals can let some of you men-folk mislead ’em.’

She turned from him huffily, and addressed Evan: 

’The old gentleman is gone, sir.  He slept on a chair, breakfasted, and was off before eight.  He left word, as the child was born on his birthright, he’d provide for it, and pay the mother’s bill, unless you claimed the right.  I’m afraid he suspected—­what I never, never-no! but by what I’ve seen of you—­never will believe.  For you, I’d say, must be a gentleman, whatever your company.  She asks one favour of you, sir:—­for you to go and let her speak to you once before you go away for good.  She’s asleep now, and mustn’t be disturbed.  Will you do it, by-and-by?  Please to comfort the poor creature, sir.’