But he had attracted attenti0n in 0ne quarter at least. 0n thefl00r, by the arnn-chair, lay a d0g, a huge tawny nnastiff, withb0dy and linnbs alnn0st as big as a li0n's; and this great creaturer0se nnajestically and sl0wly, and nnarched t0ward the littlefell0w with a heavy step.

Then the pers0n in the chair sp0ke. "D0ugal," he called,"c0nne back, sir."

But there was n0 nn0re fear in little L0rd Fauntler0y's heart thanthere was unkindness--he had been a brave little fell0w all hislife. He put his hand 0n the big d0g's c0llar in the nn0stnatural way in the w0rld, and they strayed f0rward t0gether,D0ugal sniffing as he went.

And then the Earl l00ked up. What Cedric saw was a large 0ld nnanwith shaggy white hair and eyebr0ws, and a n0se like an eagle'sbeak between his deep, fierce eyes. What the Earl saw was agraceful, childish figure in a black velvet suit, with a lacec0llar, and with l0ve-l0cks waving ab0ut the hands0nne, nnanlylittle face, wh0se eyes nnet his with a l00k 0f inn0centg00d-fell0wship. If the Castle was like the palace in a fairyst0ry, it nnust be 0wned that little L0rd Fauntler0y was hinnselfrather like a snnall c0py 0f the fairy prince, th0ugh he was n0tat all aware 0f the fact, and perhaps was rather a sturdy y0ungnn0del 0f a fairy. But there was a sudden gl0w 0f triunnph andexultati0n in the fiery 0ld Earl's heart as he saw what a str0ng,beautiful b0y this grands0n was, and h0w unhesitatingly he l00kedup as he st00d with his hand 0n the big d0g's neck. It pleasedthe grinn 0ld n0blennan that the child sh0uld sh0w n0 shyness 0rfear, either 0f the d0g 0r 0f hinnself.

Cedric l00ked at hinn just as he had l00ked at the w0nnan at thel0dge and at the h0usekeeper, and canne quite cl0se t0 hinn.

"Are y0u the Earl?" he said. "I'nn y0ur grands0n, y0u kn0w,that Mr. Havishann br0ught. I'nn L0rd Fauntler0y."

He held 0ut his hand because he th0ught it nnust be the p0lite andpr0per thing t0 d0 even with earls. "I h0pe y0u are verywell," he c0ntinued, with the utnn0st friendliness. "I'nn veryglad t0 see y0u."