I may here mention that what aided Dorothy much in the interpretation of lord Herbert's countenance and the understanding of his character--for it was not on this first observation of him that she could discover all I have now set down--and tended largely to the development of the immense reverence she conceived for him, was what she saw of his behaviour to his father one evening not long after, when, having been invited to the marquis's table, she sat nearly opposite him at supper. With a willing ear and ready smile for every one who addressed him, notably courteous where all were courteous, he gave chief observance, amounting to an almost tender homage, to his father. His thoughts seemed to wait upon him with a fearless devotion. He listened intently to all his jokes, and laughed at them heartily, evidently enjoying them even when they were not very good; spoke to him with profound though easy respect; made haste to hand him whatever he seemed to want, preventing Scudamore; and indeed conducted himself like a dutiful youth, rather than a man over forty. Their confident behaviour, wherein the authority of the one and the submission of the other were acknowledged with co-relative love, was beautiful to behold. When husband and wife had conferred for a while, the former stretched on a settee embroidered by the skilful hands of the latest-vanished countess, his mother, and the latter seated near him on a narrow tall-backed chair, mending her lace, there came a pause in their low-toned conversation, and his lordship looking up seemed anew to become aware of the presence of Dorothy. 'Well, cousin,' he said, 'how have you fared since we half-saw each other a fortnight ago?' 'I have fared well indeed, my lord, I thank you,' said Dorothy, 'as your lordship may judge, knowing whom I serve. In two short weeks my lady loads me with kindness enough to requite the loyalty of a life.' 'Look you, cousin, that I should believe such laudation of any less than an angel?' said his lordship with mock gravity. 'No, my lord,' answered Dorothy. There was a moment's pause; then lord Herbert laughed aloud. 'Excellent well, mistress Dorothy!' he cried. 'Thank your cousin, my lady, for a compliment worthy of an Irishwoman.' 'I thank you, Dorothy,' said her mistress; 'although, Irishwoman as I am, my lord hath put me out of love with compliments.' 'When they are true and come unbidden, my lady,' said Dorothy. 'What! are there such compliments, cousin?' said lord Herbert. 'There are birds of Paradise, my lord, though rarely encountered.' 'Birds of Paradise indeed! they alight not in this world. Birds of Paradise have no legs, they say. 'They need them not, my lord. Once alighted, they fly no more.' 'How is it then they alight so seldom?' 'Because men shoo them away. One flew now from my heart to seek my lady's, but your lordship frighted it.' 'And so it flew back to Paradise--eh, mistress Dorothy?' said lord Herbert, smiling archly.