No! there could be no question about it; the boy was the living image of what he himself had been at that age, as all his portraits could prove! and his eldest son, his rightful heir, stood before him, but forever and irrecoverably disinherited and delegalized by his own rash and cruel act.
The young man stood up as if naturally waiting to hear what the duke might have to say about his mother's letter.
But the duke did not immediately allude to the letter.
"Where are you stopping, my young friend?" he asked, in as calm a voice as he could command.
"At 'Langhams,' your grace," respectfully answered the youth.
"Very well. I will call and see you at your rooms to-morrow at eleven, and we will talk over your mother's plans and see what can be done for you," said the duke, as he touched the bell, and sank back heavily in his chair.
The young man understood that the interview was closed, and he was about to take his leave, when the door opened and a footman appeared.
"Truman, attend this young gentleman to the breakfast-room, and place refreshments before him. I hope that you will take something before you go, sir," said the duke, kindly.
"Thanks. I trust your grace will permit me to decline. It is scarce two hours since I breakfasted," said the boy, with a bow.
"As you please, young sir," answered the duke.