I suspect, this demonstration of attachment to his person on Harry Gregson's part was what won Mr.Horner's regard.

In the first instance, the steward had only chosen the lad out as the cleverest instrument he could find for his purpose; and I don't mean to say that, if Harry had not been almost as shrewd as Mr.Horner himself was, both by original disposition and subsequent experience, the steward would have taken to him as he did, let the lad have shown ever so much affection for him.
But even to Harry Mr.Horner was silent.

Still, it was pleasant to find himself in many ways so readily understood; to perceive that the crumbs of knowledge he let fall were picked up by his little follower, and hoarded like gold that here was one to hate the persons and things whom Mr.Horner coldly disliked, and to reverence and admire all those for whom he had any regard.

Mr.Horner had never had a child, and unconsciously, I suppose, something of the paternal feeling had begun to develop itself in him towards Harry Gregson.

I heard one or two things from different people, which have always made me fancy that Mr.Horner secretly and almost unconsciously hoped that Harry Gregson might be trained so as to be first his clerk, and next his assistant, and finally his successor in his stewardship to the Hanbury estates.
Harry's disgrace with my lady, in consequence of his reading the letter, was a deeper blow to Mr.Horner than his quiet manner would ever have led any one to suppose, or than Lady Ludlow ever dreamed of inflicting, I am sure.
Probably Harry had a short, stern rebuke from Mr.Horner at the time, for his manner was always hard even to those he cared for the most.