The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 304: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

298 in earnest. Who is this Baron Duncoff ? know him or not?” “He is here, if you wish to ascertain that i} for yourself,” said the baron, proudly, as he entered the room in a lofty manner, Morris, for a moment, was very much confused, and scarcely knew what to say. But, recollecting himself again, he rose and bow- ed politely . “You seem to be a very great friend of the family,” said the baron, “and assume the airs of one who pretends to have authority in the house- hold.” ** No more authority, believe me, than what my lord freely accords me? “Oh, indeed! And Hees he consult you, then, on his most important affairs ?” “That is my business, and not yours.” “IT don’t know that,?? was the baron’s proud answer. ‘‘ Do you know that Iam about to marry Lady Emma?” é I do. ” ‘And you have been speaking to her about the eligibility of the match?” “T know not what authority you have for saying go, sir,’’ Morris replied, getting red in 2 face. “T heard as much,’ ay 8 “ Pethaps over heard as much 7 -said Moms, “Sir, I am no eavesdropper.” - “How otherwise could you haye heard | oH I did or did not say concerning you, then RY ‘rom the lady herself.” Ms 2 ‘‘Indeed,”’ said Morris, annoyed, — “Yes, from the lady’s own lips. © Hina now ‘et me. tell you, sir, that, had you not been a particular x | I should have. kicked! aS. out ° friend of the family, of doors.” ‘‘ You are very obliging; truly.” * You laugh, sir.’ “T do, Baron Duncoff.” «And why, pray? Do zou know pho and wHet Tam “Yes, certainly I do> "you are & man, that? ll, andsoamI, But before you begin to kick ay. body out of the house, you should remember that Englishmen can play at that game as well as for- tune-hunting Dutchmen and Germans.” “ Why, the fellow is absolutely insulting me !” “T always answer people according to their true merits, baron.” ‘‘ And my merits, sir, you appear to think lightly of ?”” “ You speak the truth ; I do.” ‘Know you not that aay HE, is noble, rich and ancient ?”’ ‘That may all be; but a family, crest, baron, does not make a man noble, |: It isshis actions ; and from what I should judge of your actions, 1. doubt very much ifyou ever didia really shod one in all your life;” said Morris; laughing. | ne Come, come, you must be jokinig,1? baron, attempting to laugh. ‘No, I am not,”’ ‘‘ And why should you judge,so?”’ ‘From your face.” “My face? Why, I am reputed ha be, a) very handsome man. !’? ‘“«« Wine teathers make fine birds,’” ‘‘And what is itvyou see in my face you do not like? Come, now, I am disposed’ to hé amused)”’ “And perhaps annoyed, baron,’’ “‘ How so ?” ‘Tf I told you what I really think, you would be very much annoyed.” ““T cannot see the force of your remark,?’ said the a Do I yay THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. “i Well, then,”’. said . Morris, .< I. oyill, explain. 4 Your ‘eyes are deep and “cunning.” £ So, so. Goon; Iamall attention.” “Your mouth is thin- lipped and revengeful.” ‘What next ?” “Your forehead is low and receding.” “ Which indicates what?” “That you have not much brain.” ‘‘ But what little I have got is of a good sort, I suppose ?” ‘Yes, baron, good—nay, “ And what kind, pray !” “A very bad kind, " ‘Come, come, you are prov ohingly absurd, but yet very amusing. And so you think these peints are not in my favour ?”’ “T do not.” “ And where did you study physiology, my friend? You seem to depend much upon it.” “T do, and always have done so; and never was mistaken in the’ op} s of an honest man yet.” very good of its kind.” } t.-even 1 on this ocession. You ask for my opinion, ¢ and { freely give it.’’ ‘And whatiig 16; 1m one word ?”’ “ That you are Bs ery bad man—nay, even a rogue !” The. baron. beggp [O laugh quite heartily at Morris's i ee nd, y while doing so, my Lord Rattletrap camed ‘You ate merry, baron, ” gaid he. “Yes, and who be otherwise, my lord, with such an amusing: n as this Mr. Morris, your old friend?” © | what is’ “the subject of conversation, ae “Why, tl fellow has been reading my character, and pronoun ee What do you think ?” | “T know nob; something very distinguished, no doubt Pelt o: A rogue, sits sagphgpe, sir. And not a whit less,” And ape baron laughed very heartily at what had bee yee A Morris looked stern and serious. “ Come, come, friend Morris,” said my lord, when the baron had retired, “you have been making rather too free observations on my intended son-in- law.” ~ "Do you think so ?”’ “Tam sure of it. I saw his fonbed cheek when he left the room.” ; I had not spoken something near the truth. mat “ You ought to apologise.” “T never will, and, more thar that, I. “would advise you to break off the match,”” .7i" _ “ Whi, the wedding takes place: this very day by license !” : “ Then I, for one; don’t like: iby ob t OO 194 “What objections can you have?) Is he ant rich and handsome ?, Is not, his family ery great? And does not Emma loye him dearly ?” r 2 “That may be all true, and it” may Note. Had Lady Emma loyed Harry Steinbeck, her old and faithful lover, instead of this baron, ned happiness would haye been certain.” ‘ “Oh! Harry Steinbeck { don’t mention his name, my friend. He is not ‘only very poor,"but' a great radical, Ihear; besides, I want to: add idstre fo! ‘my house in this marriage,” “Tf Harry is poor he jeopardised his. life more than once to: save Emma; and if he is now a bit of a radical, as you call him, whose fault is it’) “Who ‘was more exemplary than:he before you denied him Gomicboo <SriGO) “ He would not be flushed at ‘all, chdn: my Jord; af a’ COLL LLL LLL LL LC