You never said it, but I knew. You came here for my sake,
to take charge of me. You made me happy--you never blamed me--you
neither watched me or domineered over me--still, I knew. Oh, how
good you have been!"
Lord Cairnforth did not speak for some time, and then he said, gravely,
"However things were at first, you must feel, my boy, that I trust you
now entirely, and that you and I are thorough friends--equal
friends."
"Not equal. On, never in my whole life shall I be half so good as you!
But I'll try hard to be as good as I can. And I shall be always beside
you. Remember your promise."
This was, that after he came of age, and ended his university career,
instead of taking "the grand tour," like most young heirs of the period,
Cardross should settle down at home, in the character of of Lord
Cairnforth's private secretary--always at hand, and ready in every
possible way to lighten the burden of business which, even as a young
man, the earl had found heavy enough, and as an old man he would be
unable to bear.
"I shall never be clever, I know that," pleaded the lad, who was
learning a touching humility, "but I may be useful; and oh! if you would
but use me, in any thing or every thing, I'd work day and night for you
--I would indeed!"
"I know you would, my son" (earl sometimes called him "my son" when they
were by themselves), "and so you shall.
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