“So I remarked myself; but this must be looked to. Come, try that; it's some of Gordon's, and he would not send a bad bottle to me.”
“I 'm very certain of that, sir. It is excellent.”
“Now then for the epistle.” So saying, he lighted a taper and prepared to read.. “Jamaica,—oh, a shipmate's letter!”
“A curious one, too, sir, as you 'll say when you read it.”
Linton, without reply, began to read, nor did he break silence till he finished, when, laying down the paper, he said, “And this very fellow who writes this he actually spoke of inviting to Ireland,—to stay some time at his house,—to be introduced, in fact, to his acquaintances as a personal friend.”
“It's very sad, sir,” sighed Phillis. “I have long been of opinion that I must leave him. The appointments, it is true, are good; perquisites, too, very handsome; but the future, Mr. Linton,—what a future it will be!”
“It need not be a very near one, at all events,” said Linton, smiling; “you've read this?”
“Just threw an eye over it, sir!”
“Well, you see that your excellent master has been little better than a pirate or a slaver.”
“Very shocking, indeed, sir!”