"No," said Mr. Belamour, smiling, "my little friend Eugene, ay, and
my nephew himself, are hoping to hear I was released from fetters
and a heap of straw, but I took care to give them no opportunity. I
merely told them they were under a mistake, and had better take care.
I gave them a reference or two, but I saw plainly that was of no use,
though they promised to send, and then I did exactly as they bade me,
so as to deprive them of all excuse for meddling with me, letting
them know that I could pay for decent treatment so long as I was in
their hands."
"Did you receive it?"
"I was told in a mild manner, adapted to my intelligence, that if I
behaved well, I might eat at the master's table, and have a room with
only one inmate. Of the former I have not an engaging experience,
either as to the fare, the hostess, or the company. Of the latter,
happily I know little, as I only know that my comrade was to be a
harmless gibbering idiot; of good birth, poor fellow. However, the
sounds I heard, and the court I looked into, convinced me that my
privileges were worth paying for."
He spoke very quietly, but he shuddered involuntarily, and Betty,
unable to restrain her tears, retreated to her sister's side.
CHAPTER XXXVI. WAKING.
So Love was still the Lord of all.
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