novine. I am so dreadfully trunked up with debts, and so wholly dependent on this beau père, that I am wretched. He took me in completely regarding settlements, which I only discovered in full this morning, and let me ruin myself, by lending me all I required before I was of age; and he took care to arrange just as he chose for Maria. But the Belnovines are an extravagant race, and I the last and worst of all; Omnia mea mecum porto! I may say now in truth with a philosopher who was resigned. However, I must not unnerve myself, but strive to extract virtue from necessity, and not bore a patient listener with such dulling grievances." "Then you, too, have been imposed upon by Darmaya, and he lent you money on usury, I conclude, for henever loved lending but for gain." "Though I beheld his robed gentry and their long beards in attendance daily en cachette, he knew my affairs accurately; in short, he was wise, I a fool, and there ended the trial -I was beat." "What will you do?" inquired Morgan eagerly. "Suppose I accompany you to India, my friend?" "That would never answer. You would not be able to get a livelihood there. A fine man like you would never do in India." Lord Belnovine smiled at his fancying him in earnest. "Don't you think by diligence per ardua, I might in time obtain bread there?" "Not a crumb." "Well, what can I do?" "I am turning it in my mind. You've parts, why not get made an ambassador? You have intimacies with people who settle all that matter, I suppose ?" "What! and leave my strutting adversary in triumph! Unnumbered suppliants crowd preferment's gate, Athirst for wealth and burning to be great; No, my dear Morgan, I was not in earnest ; Morgan hung down his head. "Tell me now, how you stand with Darmaya : has he done any thing about the place? for he seems to have something bordering on regard for you, and pays you now an attention which is generally reserved for particular persons, not in shabby drab and black." "That's because he owes me a trifle, and is a wee bit in my power. I never did tell you as much before, for I thought there was some little good in him, but now I put no faith or confidence upon his word, so I'll tell you all how it was." Morgan then explained to Lord Belnovine the transaction and the expectations he had from time to time of getting his money safe back again; and though disappointed ever, yet lingering hope continued. Belnovine listened attentively, rather turning away from Morgan, as he was affected variously by the simplicity of the recital; but not being able to command his risible faculties to the termination, he laughed involuntarily, and Morgan could not help joining in concert, though he hardly conceived the exact point which had so struck Belnovine. "Now my dear Morgan," Belnovine said, "I cannot help being astonished: that you, who were or ought to have been benefited by a long friendship with Ned Mervin, your playmate - that you should have been so easily caught, appears unaccountable, with your natural quickness and intelligent mind. Depend upon it, he never owned even one thousand pounds; he wanted it all for some speculating project; and that you should have believed a word he said on any subject, is bewildering." " Why you did the same," Morgan observed. "True; but I had not the advantage of seeing him in his undress. You had. He was my guardian, and threw a veil over me as well as himself; but as a boy, when finesse could not be supported successfully, surely you might have seen if you would." "Yes," continued Morgan, "I see it all now clear enough, but I pitied him; he was hated, ill-treated, and he had a way of coming to me for support. However, I suppose I must give up all prospect of his paying me any part of my money now, or even lending a trifle." "Not unless you give him ten per cent. interest." "Nor will he pay me any part, do you think?" "Not unless you can hang him; can you do that?" "No," Morgan answered, "I could not do that. But then consider his character, honour, and high station which he values so much; surely he would not forfeit his word and character, and be publicly branded as a sharper. Will not that startle him, think you ?" 66 "I am of opinion your chance of getting paid is not worth one of these hot cinders," answered Lord Belnovine; so give up the idea, unless you can produce a bond flawless as yourself. But farewell, Mr. Partner in Simplicity; I must away. We were both wrong to trust him. But as you love quotation, I must bid you note these lines as applicable to one or both of the two. His great crimes make thine like specks appear, Though," continued Lord Belnovine as he |