His face was very grave.
"That is a question which I doubt if any man in London town can answer.

Every man knows Lord Claud by name and fame, but none can tell who he is, nor whence come his wealth and power.

Mark me, Tom, it behoves you to have a care how you fall beneath the spell of his beauty and his kindliness.

He has made friends before this of handsome, powerful lads, not long from the country, and amongst these many have disappeared and never been heard of more, whilst others have fallen into crime, and have languished in Newgate, or paid the forfeit of their lives upon the gallows." Rosamund shrank and grew pale; whilst Tom looked the perruquier full in the face, and said: "Truly I can believe that many men who plunge into dissipation and vice may come in time to a bad end.

But why charge that upon Lord Claud?
He can only be held responsible for his own life, and he lives and thrives in favour with all." "Like a green bay tree," answered the perruquier thoughtfully.