"You may rely on his lordship," said Ridley. "With me at his back, he will be an archbishop yet. No, certainly not. The baby is not black if his lordship says so." "But they do say she’s not married and it isn’t hers," said the lady’s maid, shaking her head. "They say now that she has adopted it." "When I hear of young ladies adopting infants in obscure parts of the country, I know what to think," said Ridley. "Lord, Mr. Ridley, but I can’t believe it of her," urged the maid. "I am alleging nothing against her young ladyship," said Ridley. "She states it is hers. I said that if she stated that she had adopted it, I should know what to think. When she states it, I will tell you what I think. And in the meantime I may say that I expect every one connected with this unseemly business to be here shortly. I am a man of some discernment. This adoption rumour will encourage these poor gentlemen, who are all mad, and they will follow her Grace here, or I am a mere footman in a poor family and my name’s not Ridley." It apparently was Ridley, for there was a very loud knock at the door. "Mr. Ridley, will you see this gentleman?" said the footman, handing the butler a card, on which was engraved the name of Leopold Norfolk Gordon. "He seems very excited. I think he’s a Jew." "A Jew!" said Ridley. "By the looks of ’im a Jew," said the footman. And her Grace’s maid gave them a few details of Mr. Gordon’s career. "Oh, yes, of course," said Ridley. "I remember. Let him wait, Johnson. He can wait in the little room. As a Christian, I confess to feeling bitter against Jews, especially as I once borrowed money from one." "This is a very nice one, though," said the lady’s maid, "and Mr. Robert is quite fond of him." "I cannot stomach the idea," said Ridley. "I thought better of the boy. But I suppose I must see what he wants, though I can guess." He interviewed Gordon in the little room. "I want to see his lordship the bishop," said Gordon. "His lordship the bishop is absent on important business, sir," said Ridley. He added to himself, "As the butler of a Christian bishop, I object to calling him ’sir;’ but as a butler in the habstract I must." "Where has he gone?" asked Gordon. "Do you know?" "He has gone to look for her young ladyship, sir." "Ah! I guessed it! With Lord Bradstock?" "Yes, sir, with his lordship." "Which way has he gone?" "I don’t think, sir, that I should be justified in mentioning which way, sir," said Ridley. "Oh, yes, you would," said Gordon. He put his hand in his pocket. "I do not think so, sir. At least, I have doubts," said Ridley, with modified firmness. Gordon took out a sovereign and scratched his nose with it. "Which way?" "Boston way," said Ridley. "Thank you, sir. But I do not think you can find him or catch him. Could I assist you in any manner, sir? Things are mixed, sir. Have you heard the news that Mr. Robert sent?" "What news?" asked Gordon.