“But you will understand,” replied the other, with marked emphasis, “that I cannot and do not undertake to educate him as I would a son of my own.  He shall have as good an education as possible; he shall be fitted, as far as my judgment can go, for any station in the state, to enter any gentlemanly profession, and to win his way for himself by his own exertions.  But you cannot and must not expect that I should accustom him to indulgence or expense in any way that the unfortunate circumstances in which he is placed may render beyond his power to attain, when you and I are no longer in being to support or aid him.”

“You judge wisely, my lord,” replied Sherbrooke, “and in those respects I trust him entirely to you, feeling too deeply grateful for the relief you have given me from this overpowering anxiety, to cavil at any condition that you may propose.”

“I have only one word more to say,” replied the Earl, “which is, if you please, I would prefer putting down on paper the conditions and circumstances under which I take the boy:  we will both sign the paper, which may be for the security of us both.”

Sherbrooke agreed without hesitation; and on their return to the library, the Earl wrote for some time, while his companion talked with and caressed the boy.  When the Earl had done, he handed one of the papers he had written to Sherbrooke, who read it attentively, and then signing it returned it to the Earl.  That nobleman in the mean time, had signed a counterpart of the paper which he now gave to Sherbrooke; and the latter, taking from his pocket the small packet of various articles which we have seen him make up at the inn before he went out on the very expedition which produced his present visit to the Earl, gave it into the peer’s hands, who put his seal upon it also.

This done, a momentary pause ensued, and Lennard Sherbrooke gazed wistfully at the boy.  A feeling of tenderness, which he could not repress, gained upon his heart as he gazed, and seemed to overpower him; for tears came up, and dimmed his sight.  At length, he dashed them away; and taking the boy up in his arms, he pressed him fondly to his bosom; kissed him twice; set him down again; and then, turning to the Earl, with a brow on which strong resolution was seen struggling with deep emotion, he said, “Thank you, my lord, thank you!”

It was all he could say, and turning away hastily he quitted the room.  The Earl rang the bell, and ordered the servant to see that the gentleman’s horse was brought round.  He then turned and gazed upon the boy with a look of interest; but little Wilton seemed perfectly happy, and was still looking over the book of paintings which the Earl had given to him to examine.

“What can this be?” thought the Earl, as he looked at him; “can there be perfect insensibility under that fair exterior?” And taking the boy by the hand he drew him nearer.

“Are you not sorry he is gone?” the nobleman asked.