What! you refuse to tell! Then I'll drink no more." And so the earl had walked out of the dining-room; but not till he had perceived by his guest's cheeks that the joke had been too true to be pleasant.

As he went, however, he leaned with his hand on Eames's shoulder, and the servants looking on saw that the young man was to be a favourite.

"He'll make him his heir," said Vickers.
"I shouldn't wonder a bit if he don't make him his heir." But to this the footman objected, endeavouring to prove to Mr Vickers that, in accordance with the law of the land, his lordship's second cousin, once removed, whom the earl had never seen, but whom he was supposed to hate, must be his heir.

"A hearl can never choose his own heir, like you or me," said the footman, laying down the law.

"Can't he though really, now?
That's very hard on him; isn't it ?" said the pretty housemaid.