"When you learn the truth, remember what I say now. I don't like you, nor the looks of you, nor the language of you, nor the ways of you. But there you are, and I'm bound to do something for you. Now, sir, make your mother happy; do what she wants, make her love you. And, well, your sort, I take it, is always wanting money; you never make any, and you are always spending. Make her happy, and you shall have as much as any young man can want in reason or out of reason. I know your manner of life, sir, and it's an expensive manner of life. You are in debt again; Lady Woodroffe has already paid your debts once or twice; champagne and cards and painted Jezebels--you shall have them all--all; I don't care what you want, you shall have everything, if you only behave properly to your mother." Humphrey heard these words with real and breathless astonishment. There had been, it is true, many expostulations from his mother about extravagance and scandals; but could she have complained to this rough, coarse creature? "I cannot for the life of me understand what you mean." "Remember what I say, then." "Mr. Haveril"--for once the young man spoke quite plainly and unaffectedly--"I assure you, although you assume that I know what you mean--I do not in the least. Can you explain why you take such an interest in my relations with my mother, not to speak of my personal character?" "No, sir. You will understand, very well, in a day or two. Let me conclude, sir. I intended to explain that I married late in life." "Oh!" Humphrey groaned. "It is like a bad dream. What does it matter to me whether you married late in life or early? Man alive! Will you take a drink--two drinks--to go? There's whisky in the cabinet." "I say," John Haveril repeated slowly, "that I married late in life. Over forty I was; therefore I've had but small experience of women. But of your mother I must say she's the very best woman that lives--the very best." Humphrey gasped. "Good Lord!" he cried. "The best and the tenderest and the most pious." "Oh! The most pious!" "And the most beautiful. Pity that she keeps fretting about you." "Well, it is a pity. Do you mean to say that she sent you--you--you--to tell _me_--_me_--_me_ that?" "Otherwise, naturally a happy nature, full of sunshine, and well-mannered." Humphrey laughed aloud. "Well, she is well-mannered. That's a good shot." "And speaks like a lady." "Yes, yes; she certainly does." "Well, then"--John Haveril rose--"I believe I've said all I came to say." "I'm glad of that. Perhaps you'd like to say it all over again. You have told me my character; you have assured me that I am not your son; you have offered me millions if I behave properly; and you have been so good as to praise my mother warmly."