“He should indeed be sent into the Indies—Myndert—?”
“My Lord?”
“It would be unjust to my sentiments in favor of Mr. Oloff Van Staats, were we to exclude him from the advantages of our project. This much shall I exact from your friendship, in his favor; the necessary sum may be divided, in moieties, between you; a common bond shall render the affair compact; and then, as we shall be masters of our own secret, there can be little doubt of the prudence of our measures. The amount is written in this bit of paper.”
“Two thousand pounds, my Lord!”
“Pardon me, dear sir; not a penny more than one for each of you. Justice to Van Staats requires that you let him into the affair. Were it not for the suit with your niece, I should take the young gentleman with me, to push his fortunes at court.”
“Truly, my Lord, this greatly exceeds my means. The high prices of furs the past season, and delays in returns have placed a seal upon our silver—”
“The premium would be high.”
“Coin is getting so scarce, daily, that the face of a Carolus is almost as great a stranger, as the face of a debtor—”
“The returns certain.”
“While one’s creditors meet him, at every corner—”