The hearer started at this reply; previously he had regarded him as a dependent of no importance.
"I earn my daily bread, Captain Philip, and that is a great gain for one who was blamed for eating bread which he did nothing for."
"I hope you are not referring to what you had at Taverney, for your father and mother were good tenants and you were often useful."
"I only did my duty."
"Mark me, Gilbert," continued the young gentleman. "You know I always liked you. I looked upon you differently to others. The future will show whether I was right or wrong. To me your standing aloof was fastidiousness; your plainspokenness I called straightforward."
"Thanks," said the young man, breathing delightedly.
"It follows that I wish you well. Young like you and unhappy as I was situated, I thus understood you. Fortune has smiled upon me. Let me help you in anticipation of the lady on the wheel smiling on you likewise."
"I thank you."
"Do you blush to take my help, when all men are brothers?"
Gilbert fastened his intelligent eyes on the speaker's noble features, astonished at hearing the language from those lips.