“Why, Boland?”
Darius spoke courageously. “Your honour, he has many friends in Jamaica, and they won’t stand it. Besides, he won’t stand it. And if he contests your honour, the island will be with him.”
“Is he popular here as all that?” asked the governor with a shrug of the shoulders.
“They don’t give their faith and confidence to order, your honour,” answered Darius with a dry inflection.
The burr in the voice did not escape the other’s attentive ear. He swung a glance sharply at Darius. “What is the secret of his popularity—how has it been made?” he asked morosely.
Darius’ face took on a caustic look. “He’s only been in the island a short time, your honour, and I don’t know that I’m a good judge, but I’ll say the people here have great respect for bravery and character.”
“Character! Character!” sniffed the governor. “Where did he get that?”
“Well, I don’t know his age, but it’s as old as he is—his character. Say, I’m afraid I’m talking too much, your honour. We speak our minds in Virginia; we never count the cost.”
The governor waved a deprecating hand. “You’ll find the measure of your speech in good time, Boland, I’ve no doubt. Meanwhile, you’ve got the pleasure of hunting it. Character, you say. Well, that isn’t what the judge and jury said.”
Darius took courage again. Couldn’t Lord Mallow have any decency?