On the following evening, each of the young ones being anxious to hear the sequel of Rover’s adventures, Fitzallan, ever indulgent to their wishes, when bounded by propriety, resumed his narrative.
“Theodore, having enjoyed a good night’s rest, and satisfied in his mind as to the safety of his faithful follower, who that night reposed soundly by his bedside, was anxious to continue his journey to London as early as possible. He therefore rose before any but the menial domestics of the family were stirring, not recollecting that gratitude as well as politeness required that he should make his acknowledgments personally for the kindness he had experienced. Recollecting this in time, he sauntered listlessly from room to room, till he had the satisfaction to hear that Lord Montgomery was stirring, and requested the favour of Mr. Fitzallan to breakfast with him. Theodore returned a polite answer, and was soon summoned to the Baron’s apartment.
“The servant having announced him to his master, Theodore entered; but started back with unconcealed surprise at beholding a form with which he was well acquainted. Montgomery, though well pleased at the interview, and better prepared, had presence of mind sufficient to prevent the servant from noticing the confusion of Fitzallan; but motioning to him to retire, cordially seized the hand of his friend, and leading him to a chair, sat down beside him.
‘I see your astonishment, my dear Mr. Fitzallan; it is too great to be repressed; yet I can read also the various doubts and conjectures which agitate your mind. Upon my word, but that other emotions at present agitate my feelings, I could laugh heartily at the portrait you now exhibit.’
“Theodore glanced at himself in an opposite mirror, and could not suppress a smile; but, in an instant, his seriousness returned, and looking round him with an air of pleasantry mingled with apprehension, he said—‘How am I to unriddle this? Inform me, I beseech you, with candour, whether I am addressing Lord Montgomery or my old friend Barnaby Shute?’
‘Both, I can assure you,’ replied the Baron, gaily; ‘yesterday put me in possession of a title to which I was born lawful heir, and which I trust I shall never disgrace; and indeed I augur most favourably from this beginning, which has thus enabled me, in a small degree, to make a return to my earliest friend and benefactor.’
‘If my heartfelt congratulation can add any thing to your satisfaction, be assured it is sincere as any feeling my heart ever experienced, and can hardly be equalled by my curiosity, great as it is, to know how these strange occurrences have been brought about.’
‘I will satisfy you,’ said the Baron; ‘it is a short story, though an extraordinary one.
‘The kindness of the gentleman to whom you recommended me was extended towards me in more ways than mere pecuniary advantage. Finding that I had a natural wish for improvement, he spared no pains to procure me such assistance as was requisite, and even suffered me to share the lessons which he received from masters in the various branches of education. By these means my situation became delightful, and my gratitude to him was unbounded. I loved him equally with you, and towards both I bore the affection of a brother—so much does generosity attach the humblest dependant.
‘The advantages which I reaped from the indulgence of my amiable young master, were such as I shall now most essentially derive benefit from. I no longer repined at the severity of nature, in giving me such an uncouth form; I knew how to value more justly the beauties of the mind, and eagerly sought to compensate for personal deficiencies, by every possible improvement in morals and manners. No longer considered as a servant, I became the honoured friend and companion of the generous Mowbray.