"My lord is now engaged with his correspondence," he said. "He does not brook interruption."
"My name is Harry Rochester; I will answer for it that you will do no wrong in acquainting his lordship."
After a moment's hesitation the man beckoned to a fellow-servant, and gave him Harry's message. He went upstairs, and returning in a few minutes said:
"What is your business with my lord, sir? His lordship does not remember your name."
There was the suggestion of a sneer in the man's voice. With hardly a perceptible pause Harry replied:
"Tell his lordship I am from Winton St. Mary, at his invitation."
A faint smile curled the lips of the two flunkeys. The second again mounted the stairs. When he descended, his face wore its usual expression of deference and respect.
"Be so good as to wait upon his lordship," he said, and led the way.
In a few minutes Harry found himself, hat in hand, making his bow to Lord Godolphin in a large wainscoted apartment. Four large candles burnt upon the mantel-piece, daylight being kept out by the heavy curtains on either side of the narrow window. A huge log fire filled the chimney-place; beyond it stood a broad table littered with papers, which at that moment a young man was sorting by the light of a shaded candle. Lord Godolphin was in dressing-gown and slippers.
"Well, sir?" he said.