Lord Molyneux waited to catch my eye and kiss his hand as he made his exit.
"You are driving away the _vielle cour_ by expressing those vulgar ideas."
"I cannot help it," replied Leinster. "God Almighty has not cut me out for a fine gentleman."
"One word," said Fred Lamb, "and I am off, to make room for better men."
"I really will," I interrupted him in a whisper, not knowing how else to get rid of him, "I really will drive down to _The Cock_ at Sutton to-morrow morning at about twelve, and inquire for you."
Fred Lamb's eyes brightened. "Swear it upon your honour and soul," said he, seizing my hand.
He pressed his lips on the hand he held, in fervent gratitude, as he took his leave.
"I knew I should find my noble cousin the big duke here," said the young handsome Harry De Roos, peeping his Narcissus-like head into my box.
"Oh! I am very melancholy," observed De Roos, blushing, as he took his seat.
"Upon my honour," said Leinster, "Henry is fretting for nothing at all. Wait now, while I tell you all about it."
"Indeed, and we are waiting," I answered.
"Why," Leinster went on, "his mother, my Lady De Roos, is going to send him down to a private tutor to-morrow, and I have frightened him with my description of the Smiths, that's all."
"Mr. Smith is the name of the big duke's tutor, whom he has just left," answered De Roos, "after enduring such wretchedness, for more than two years, as would have about finished me, I am sure."
"Nothing at all like wretchedness, upon my honour," retorted Leinster. "It is all Harry's spoiled way."
"Tell us, you big duke, how you used to pass your valuable time at this said bugbear of a tutor, Mr. Smith's," said I.
"Listen while I tell you then," replied Leinster. "Myself and two other lads were under his care. We rose at six and cleaned our own boots and shoes."
De Roos looked on his peculiarly delicate white hand and fingers and sighed heavily.
"And then," proceeded Leinster, "we took our breakfast, which consisted of thick slices of bread with a little salt butter. After that we had three large books placed before us, in which we were desired to read for five hours, taking down notes of whatever struck us most forcibly. At dinner, which consisted one day of a roast joint, the next of the same, hashed; the third, ditto, minced; our society was enlivened by the three Miss Smiths!"