“Sir,” said Albert.
Learmont started, exclaiming,—
“Who spoke?”
“I thought you addressed me, sir?”
“No—no—I—I—said nothing. You are very young, and yet have known trouble, you say?”
“There has been much trouble, sir, crowded into the brief space of my existence,” replied Albert. “I have lost all that I loved.”
“All?” echoed Learmont.
“Yes, sir, all,” sighed Albert.
“You have no ties then to bind you to the world, and make you pause in any undertaking? You are like me, a lone man. I am lone, and quite desolate; but I pride myself upon my isolation. I would not be surrounded by what the mass of mankind rejoice in, in the shape of connexions, for worlds.”
Albert said nothing, and, after a pause, Learmont added, hastily,—