Lord Fauntleroy moved rather uneasily in his chair. It was evident to
the Earl that he was embarrassed by the thought which had just occurred
to him.

"I was just thinking that perhaps you mightn't like it," he replied.
"Perhaps some one belonging to you might have been there. I forgot you
were an Englishman."

"You can go on," said my lord. "No one belonging to me was there. You
forgot you were an Englishman, too."

"Oh! no," said Cedric quickly. "I'm an American!"

"You are an Englishman," said the Earl grimly. "Your father was an
Englishman."

It amused him a little to say this, but it did not amuse Cedric. The lad
had never thought of such a development as this. He felt himself grow
quite hot up to the roots of his hair.

"I was born in America," he protested. "You have to be an American if
you are born in America. I beg your pardon," with serious politeness
and delicacy, "for contradicting you. Mr. Hobbs told me, if there were
another war, you know, I should have to--to be an American."

The Earl gave a grim half laugh--it was short and grim, but it was a
laugh.

"You would, would you?" he said.