She led him along the winding narrow passage, pointed out to him the
door of his lordship's sitting-room, and turned away--again, Donal
could not help thinking, with a look as of some anxiety about him.
He knocked, and the voice of the earl bade him enter.
His lordship was in his dressing-gown, on a couch of faded satin of
a gold colour, against which his pale yellow face looked cadaverous.
"Good morning, Mr. Grant," he said. "I am glad to see you better!"
"I thank you, my lord," returned Donal. "I have to make an apology.
I cannot understand how it was, except, perhaps, that, being so
little accustomed to strong drink,--"
"There is not the smallest occasion to say a word," interrupted his
lordship. "You did not once forget yourself, or cease to behave like
a gentleman!"
"Your lordship is very kind. Still I cannot help being sorry. I
shall take good care in the future."
"It might be as well," conceded the earl, "to set yourself a
limit--necessarily in your case a narrow one.--Some constitutions
are so immediately responsive!" he added in a murmur. "The least
exhibition of--!--But a man like you, Mr. Grant," he went on aloud,
"will always know to take care of himself!"
"Sometimes, apparently, when it is too late!" rejoined Donal. "But I
must not annoy your lordship with any further expression of my
regret!"
"Will you dine with me to-night?" said the earl.
Pages:
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266