heir and successor. A very long way, young gamecock. The
inheritance, you will find, is quite another thing."

" Acknowledge me to be your son, my lord, ai;id the rest I
can myself manage."

" After my death, you mean. Well, every one who has rank
and wealth expects heirs, and those who would be heirs if they
could ; it is natural that these should most ardently desire the
death of the man from whom they will inherit. You will ad-
vance a claim to legitimacy after my death. Very good. I see
no reason why that promise — or threat — should move me in the
least."

" I say, my lord, only acknowledge me to be your own son,
and the rest can wait. You will have a son who will obey you
in all things reasonable. If you swear at him, he will swear in
return ; he will give you like for like ; he will not be afraid of
you, but he will do his best to meet your wishes and to keep you
amused. Do this, my lord, and you-Avill never regret it."

" You are the son of a certain London girl — daughter of a
poulterer or a pepperer or a saddler — ^I know not what — ^who
went through a form of marriage — ^"

" A real marriage—"

" With me in a city church. I remember her. She had a
pretty face, but no manners, and a tongue that never stopped."

" Does your lordship desire to see my mother again 3"

He shuddered. " What ? See a woman whom I fancied for
a month twenty years ago and more ? See that woman again ?
Name her not, young man. What is your Christian name ?"

" Richard."

" What have you been doing ? How living f "

" I would not presume to inquire into your lordship's way of
life ; and since you deserted me and have done nothing for my
education, my maintenance, or my present position" — ^his lord-
ship smiled at the word — " I submit with respect that you have
no right to inquire into my way of life."

" That is very true. As I knew not that I had a son, I could
not educate or maintain him. 