And I finished him with a pair of
pantaloons which swept the world of fashion clean off its legs, and
brought him into lasting favor with the Regent. So my Lord was made,
and eventually I married him to an heiress."
"You married him?"
"That is to say, I dictated all his letters, and composed all his
verses, which speedily brought the affair to a happy culmination."
"You seem to be a man of many and varied gifts?"
"And one--without a character, sir."
"Nevertheless," said Barnabas, "I think you are the very man I
require."
"Sir," exclaimed the fugitive, staring, "sir?"
"And therefore," continued Barnabas, "you may consider yourself
engaged."
"Engaged, sir--engaged!" stammered the man--"me?"
"As my valet," nodded Barnabas.
"But, sir, I told you--I was--a thief!"
"Yes," said Barnabas, "and therefore I have great hopes of your
future honesty."
Now hereupon the man, still staring, rose up to his knees, and with
a swift, appealing gesture, stretched out his hands towards Barnabas,
and his hands were trembling all at once.
"Sir!" said he, "oh, sir--d'ye mean it? You don't know, you can't
know what such an offer means to me.
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