His nephew, however, had some positive good, and not a
little of that light and reckless profligacy which is often mistaken for
heart and spirit. Hycy and he, though not very long acquainted, were, at
the present period of our narrative, on very intimate terms. They had,
it is true, a good many propensities in common, and these were what
constituted the bond between them. They were companions but not friends;
and Clinton saw many things in Hycy which disgusted him exceedingly, and
scarcely anything more than the contemptuous manner in which he spoke of
and treated his parents. He liked his society, because he was lively
and without any of that high and honorable moral feeling which is often
troublesome to a companion who, like Clinton, was not possessed of much
scruple while engaged in the pursuit of pleasures. On this account,
therefore, we say that he relished his society, but could neither
respect nor esteem him.
On the following morning at breakfast, his uncle asked him where he had
dined the day before.
"With Hycy Burke, sir," replied the nephew.
"Yes; that is honest Jemmy's son--a very great man in his own conceit,
Harry. You seem to like him very much."
Harry felt a good deal puzzled as to the nature of his reply. He knew
very well that his uncle did not relish Hycy, and he felt that he could
not exactly state his opinion of him without bringing in question
his own penetration and good taste in keeping his society.
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