''
``Nay, then, he must be a black ouzel indeed!---
Does he understand languages?''
``Latin and French tolerably well.''
``Of course he cannot fence or dance?''
``Pardon me, sir, I am no great judge; but
Richard is reckoned to do both with uncommon
skill.''
``Indeed!---Sum this up, and it sounds well.
Handsome, accomplished in exercises, moderately
learned, perfectly well-bred, not unreasonably wild.
All this comes too high for the situation of a private
sentinel. He must have a commission, Doctor---
entirely for your sake.''
``Your Excellency is generous.''
``It shall be so; and I will find means to make
Tom Hillary disgorge his plunder, unless he prefers
being hanged, a fate he has long deserved.
You cannot go back to the Hospital to-day. You
dine with us, and you know Mrs Witherington's
fears of infection; but to-morrow find out your
friend. Winter shall see him equipped with every
thing needful. Tom Hillary shall repay advances,
you know; and he must be off with the first detachment
of the recruits, in the Middlesex Indiaman,
which sails from the Downs on Monday fortnight;
that is, if you think him fit for the voyage.
I dare say the poor fellow is sick of the Isle of
Wight.
Pages:
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572