“No, no, Mr. Phillip—my daughter is destined for a richer man than you are!
“’Tis true, she likes him, and all that; but what’s that to do with it?
“Lord! she’ll soon get over all childishness when she learns the true state of things.
“I’m mighty glad, though, that those two vessels are perfectly safe; if they were lost, it would be a very serious thing for me, and no mistake.
“Never mind, I must take care not to take so heavy a risk next time, and then it will save an immense amount of anxiety.
“Heigho! well, this is a curious world. I will dismiss Phillip, and take Fanny to the continent out of the way. We’ll have a gay time there, and she’ll soon forget that young schemer, Phillip.
“I wish those vessels were arrived, the cargoes sold, and my money paid in, and then—”
“Letter, sir,” said the servant, handing in a note, and retiring.
Being in the daily receipt of letters and messages about ships and the like, old Sir Andrew paid little attention to the present one; but, observing that “Ship news—immediate,” was on the envelope, he opened it, and read:—
To Sir Andrew McTurk,
President of the London Insurance Company.