Cashel Byron's Profession

"Perhaps so," said Lydia. "For my own part I have found the same

varieties of address in every class. Some people enjoy a native

distinction and grace of manner--"

"That is what I mean," said Alice.

"--but they are seldom ladies and gentlemen; often actors, gypsies,

and Celtic or foreign peasants. Undoubtedly one can make a fair

guess, but not in the case of this Mr. Cashel Byron. Are you curious

about him?"

"I!" exclaimed Alice, superbly. "Not in the least."

"I am. He interests me. I seldom see anything novel in humanity; and

he is a very singular man."

"I meant," said Alice, crestfallen, "that I take no special interest

in him."

Lydia, not being curious as to the exact degree of Alice's interest,

merely nodded, and continued, "He may, as you suppose, be a man of

humble origin who has seen something of society; or he may be a

gentleman unaccustomed to society. Probably the latter. I feel no

conviction either way."

"But he speaks very roughly; and his slang is disgusting. His hands

are hard and quite black. Did you not notice them?"

"I noticed it all; and I think that if he were a man of low

condition he would be careful not to use slang. Self-made persons

are usually precise in their language; they rarely violate the

written laws of society. Besides, his pronunciation of some words is

so distinct that an idea crossed me once that he might be an actor.

But then it is not uniformly distinct. I am sure that he has some

object or occupation in life: he has not the air of an idler. Yet I

have thought of all the ordinary professions, and he does not fit

one of them. This is perhaps what makes him interesting. He is

unaccountable."

"He must have some position. He was very familiar with Lord

Worthington."

"Lord Worthington is a sportsman, and is familiar with all sorts of

people."

"Yes; but surely he would not let a jockey, or anybody of that

class, put his arm round his neck, as we saw Mr. Byron do."

"That is true," said Lydia, thoughtfully. "Still," she added,

clearing her brow and laughing, "I am loath to believe that he is an

invalid student."

"I will tell you what he is," said Alice suddenly. "He is companion

and keeper to the man with whom he lives. Do you recollect his

saying 'Mellish is mad'?"