Harry returned the greeting. Then he threw upon the table a small packet of papers.
"There, sir, I have read them; thank you for letting me see them."
"Sit down, boy, and let us talk; will you have a cigar? No? A cigarette, then? No? You are probably a little upset by this—new—unexpected revelation?"
"A little upset!" repeated the young man, with a short laugh.
"To be sure—to be sure—one could expect nothing else; now sit down, and let us talk over the matter calmly."
The young man sat down, but he did not present the appearance of one inclined to talk over the matter calmly.
"In novels," said Lord Jocelyn, "it is always the good fortune of young gentlemen brought up in ignorance of their parentage to turn out, when they do discover their origin, the heirs to an illustrious name; I have always admired that in novels. In your case, my poor Harry, the reverse is the case; the distinction ought to console you."
"Why was I not told before?"
"Because the boyish brain is more open to prejudice than that of the adult; because, among your companions, you certainly would have felt at a disadvantage had you known yourself to be the son of a——"
"You always told me," said Harry, "that my father was in the army!"