You are young: all your life is before you.

Now look--see how far back in the mists of antiquity my own family of Swancourt have a root.

Here, you see,' he continued, turning to the page, 'is Geoffrey, the one among my ancestors who lost a barony because he would cut his joke.

Ah, it's the sort of us! But the story is too long to tell now.

Ay, I'm a poor man--a poor gentleman, in fact: those I would be friends with, won't be friends with me; those who are willing to be friends with me, I am above being friends with.