It happened that about this time Lord Jocelyn remembered the American claimants, and his promise to call upon them. He therefore called, and was received with the greatest cordiality by her little ladyship, and with wondrous affability, as becomes one man of rank toward another, by Lord Davenant.
It was her ladyship who volubly explained their claim to him, and the certainty of the assumption that their Timothy Clitheroe was the lost heir to the same two Christian names; her husband only folded his fat hands over each other, and from time to time wagged his head.
"You are the first of my husband's brother peers," she said, "who has called upon us. We shall not forget this kindness from your lordship."
"But I am not a peer at all," he explained; "I am only a younger son with a courtesy title. I am quite a small personage."
"Which makes it all the kinder," said her ladyship; "and I must say that, grand as it is, in this big house, one does get tired of hearin' no voice but your own—and my husband spends a good deal of his time in the study. Oh! a man of great literary attainments, and a splendid mathematician. I assure your lordship not a man or a boy in Canaan City can come near him in algebra."
"Up to a certain point, Clara Martha," said her husband, meaning that there might be lofty heights in science to which even he himself could not soar. "Quadratic equations, my lord."
Lord Jocelyn made an original remark about the importance of scientific pursuits.
"And since you are so friendly," continued her ladyship, "I will venture to invite your lordship to dine with us."
"Certainly. I shall be greatly pleased."
"We have got a few friends coming to-morrow evening," said her ladyship, rather grandly. "Friends from Whitechapel."