His dark brow was knit, and his darker eye rarely wore any other expression than that of penetration. He looked upon you, and read you through. His features, fine, high, and somewhat stern in repose, were yet capable of being moulded to any meaning it was his will that they should express. Now, though his mouth worked with agitation, it had not lost its bland and habitual smile; but there was that in his face few ever saw in the self-possessed, the cold and reserved Lord Norbourne. He paced the gallery with quick and irregular steps, while his eye more than once met that of his nephew, who, however, preserved a resolute silence.
"This is most unworthy hesitation," exclaimed he, at last; and, approaching the fireplace, leant opposite Norbourne. "I see," continued he, "that you resent my conduct. I do not wonder at it. I reproach myself for it; but, at least, hear me before you utterly condemn me. I find I cannot do without some portion of your good-will; for, little as you
