“It’s not a choice investment, Fisk—at least, there are securities I would certainly prefer to it.”
“Three years’ wages and perquisites, Sir!” cried he, mournfully.
“Well, your master will probably have five years to ruminate over the wrong he has done you.”
“At the galleys? Do you really mean the galleys, Sir?”
“I really mean at the galleys, Fisk; and if he be not a more amusing companion there than I have found him in ordinary life, I can only say I do not envy the man he will be chained to.”
Mr. Fisk grinned a very hearty concurrence with the sentiment, and took a respectful leave, and withdrew.
CHAPTER LX. MR. M’KINLAY IN THE TOILS
Mr. M’KINLAY was too acute an observer not to see that his arrival at the Boschetto was matter of general satisfaction, and his welcome peculiarly cordial. The Vyners had just escaped from a heavy calamity, and were profuse of grateful emotions to all who had assisted them in their troubles.
Now, M’Kinlay had not been extravagant in his offices of friendship, but, with a sort of professional instinct, he had always contemplated the possibility of a restoration, and had never betrayed by his manner any falling off from his old terms of loyalty and devotion.