This petty two
hundred a-year, with its miserable and precarious possibilities, to be
shared with the old gentleman, sounds in the ears of one like me, who have
the world for the winning, and a sword to cut my way through it, like
something little better than a decent kind of beggary. Menie is in herself
a gem--a diamond--I admit it. But then, one would not set such a precious
jewel in lead or popper, but in pure gold; ay, and add a circlet of
brilliants to set it off with. Be a good fellow, Adam, and undertake the
setting my project in proper colours before the Doctor. I am sure, the
wisest thing for him and Menie both, is to permit me to spend this short
time of probation in the land of cowries. I am sure my heart will be there
at any rate, and while I am bleeding some bumpkin for an inflammation, I
shall be in fancy relieving some nabob, or rajahpoot, of his plethora of
wealth. Come--will you assist, will you be auxiliary? Ten chances but you
plead your own cause, man, for I may be brought up by a sabre, or a
bow-string, before I make my pack up; then your road to Menie will be
free and open, and, as you will be possessed of the situation of comforter
_ex officio_, you may take her 'with the tear in her ee,' as old saws
advise."
"Mr. Richard Middlemas," said Hartley, "I wish it were possible for me to
tell you, in the few words which I intend to bestow on you, whether I
pity you or despise you, the most.
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