Then, with
respect to his sister, although he had no earthly intention of seeing
her the wife of such a person, still he resolved to be able to say to
Hycy that he had not broken his word, a consideration which would not
have bound Hycy one moment under the same circumstances.
"He's a very pleasant young fellow, sir," replied the other, "and has
been exceedingly civil and attentive to me."
"Ay!--do you like him--do you esteem him, I mean?"
"I dare say I will, sir, when I come to know him better."
"Which is as much as to say that at present you do not. So I thought.
You have a portion of good sense about you, but in a thousand things
you're a jackass, Harry."
"Thank you, sir," replied his nephew, laughing heartily; "thank you for
the compliment. I am your nephew, you know."
"You have a parcel of d----d scruples, I say, that are ridiculous. What
the devil need a man care about in this world but appearances? Mind your
own interests, keep up appearances, and you have done your duty."
"But I should like to do a little more than keep up appearances,"
replied his nephew.
"I know you would," said his uncle, "and it is for that especial reason
that I say you're carrying the ears. I'm now a long time in the world,
Masther Harry--sixty-two years--although I don't look it, nor anything
like it, and in the course of that time--or, at all events, ever
since I was able to form my own opinions, I never met a man that
wasn't a rogue in something, with the exception of--let me
see--one--two--three--four--five--I'm not able to make out the
half-dozen.
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