He daily imbibed large draughts of brandy, and this resort seemed to cheer him.
But the practice grew upon him hourly, so that the brandy lost much of its customary effect, and he accordingly drank deeply to sustain his drooping spirits.
Not being one of the executors himself, he knew but little of his father’s indebtedness; but when he questioned old Moss, the money-lending Jew, on one occasion, regarding that point, the old Israelite said that “he would plainly tell him,” and remarked very solemnly—
“When all debts are paid, your father’s estates are not worth one penny! He was generally considered to be worth more than he really was. He sustained many losses, and kept afloat on credit! If the ‘Racehorse’ and ‘Eclipse’ safely arrive, there will be a little something for you, perhaps, when the cargoes are sold; but if they do not, there will not be a penny to spare. But, worse than all, many of us creditors, Phillip, will have to bite our fingers!”
It is unnecessary to say that this piece of confidential information surprised the young man considerably.
But not so much as might have been expected; for, from a careful study of his father’s books, he had arrived at something like the same conclusion himself.
“Well, there’s no help for it,” thought he, drinking deeply of the brandy, “It will be a month, at least, before lawyer Sloman and the executors can present a balance sheet—I’ll marry Sir Andrew’s daughter, Fanny!”
Phillip’s first visit to Sir Andrew after the funeral was of the most interesting nature.
The mother, “my lady,” embraced him as a son.
Sir Andrew shook him cordially by the hand, and heartily welcomed him once more beneath his roof.