"Everything," replied the old man. "Your lordship's book will be the most successful thing you've done."
"Then bring him to the Clarendon at twelve the day after to-morrow. As he's to live in the house, and that kind of thing, her ladyship must see him before he's engaged."
"I suppose I may congratulate you, my boy," said Byrne to Joyce a day or two afterwards, as they walked away from the Clarendon Hotel after their interview, "though you don't look much pleased about it."
"I am an ungrateful brute," said Walter; "I ought to have thanked you the instant the door closed; for it is entirely owing to you and your kindness that I have obtained this splendid chance. But----"
"But what?" said the old man kindly.
"Did you notice that woman's reception of me, and the way she spoke?"
"That woman? Oh, my Lady! H'm--she's not too polite to those she considers her inferiors."
"Polite? To me it was imperious, insolent, degrading! But I can put up with it!" And he added softly to himself, "For Marian's sake!"