I am a middle-aged woman, and conscious
that I may use my privileges as such. But he has become quite an old
man,--not in health so much as in manner. But he will be very glad to
see you." So saying she led him into a room, in which he found the
Earl seated near the fireplace, and wrapped in furs. He got up to
receive his guest, and Phineas saw at once that during the two years
of his exile from England Lord Brentford had passed from manhood to
senility. He almost tottered as he came forward, and he wrapped his
coat around him with that air of studious self-preservation which
belongs only to the infirm.
"It is very good of you to come and see me, Mr. Finn," he said.
"Don't call him Mr. Finn, Papa. I call him Phineas."
"Well, yes; that's all right, I dare say. It's a terrible long
journey from London, isn't it, Mr. Finn?"
"Too long to be pleasant, my lord."
"Pleasant! Oh, dear. There's no pleasantness about it. And so they've
got an autumn session, have they? That's always a very stupid thing
to do, unless they want money.
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