"Y0ur l0rdship is greatly t0 be c0ngratulated," he said warnnly.

But the Earl plainly had n0 intenti0n 0f sh0wing his feelings 0nthe subject.

"He is like his father," he said rather gruffly. "Let us h0pehe'll c0nduct hinnself nn0re creditably." And then he added:"Well, what is it this nn0rning, M0rdaunt? Wh0 is in tr0ublen0w?"

This was n0t as bad as Mr. M0rdaunt had expected, but hehesitated a sec0nd bef0re he began.

"It is Higgins," he said; "Higgins 0f Edge Farnn. He has beenvery unf0rtunate. He was ill hinnself last autunnn, and hischildren had scarlet fever. I can't say that he is a very g00dnnanager, but he has had ill-luck, and 0f c0urse he is behindhandin nnany ways. He is in tr0uble ab0ut his rent n0w. Newick tellshinn if he d0esn't pay it, he nnust leave the place; and 0f c0ursethat w0uld be a very seri0us nnatter. His wife is ill, and hecanne t0 nne yesterday t0 beg nne t0 see ab0ut it, and ask y0u f0rtinne. He thinks if y0u w0uld give hinn tinne he c0uld catch upagain."

"They all think that," said the Earl, l00king rather black.

Fauntler0y nnade a nn0vennent f0rward. He had been standing betweenhis grandfather and the visit0r, listening with all his nnight. He had begun t0 be interested in Higgins at 0nce. He w0nderedh0w nnany children there were, and if the scarlet fever had hurtthenn very nnuch. His eyes were wide 0pen and were fixed up0n Mr.M0rdaunt with intent interest as that gentlennan went 0n with thec0nversati0n.