"
His words seemed to sink into the gloomy mind of Middlemas. He stood
silent for a moment, and then answered with a reluctant and insinuating
voice,--
"My dear Hartley, we have long been companions--you can have neither
pleasure nor interest in ruining my hopes--you may find some in
forwarding them. Moncada's fortune will enable me to allow five thousand
pounds to the friend who should aid me in my difficulties."
"Good morning to you, Mr. Middlemas," said Hartley, endeavouring to
withdraw.
"One moment--one moment," said Middlemas, holding his friend by the
button at the same time, "I meant to say ten thousand--and--and--marry
whomsoever you like--I will not be your hindrance."
"You are a villain!" said Hartley, breaking from him, "and I always
thought you so."
"And you," answered Middlemas, "are a fool, and I never thought yon
better. Off he goes--Let him--the game has been played and lost--I must
hedge my bets: India must be my back-play."
All was in readiness for his departure. A small vessel and a favouring
gale conveyed him and several other military gentlemen to the Downs,
where the Indiaman, which was to transport them from Europe, lay ready
for their reception.
His first feelings were sufficiently disconsolate. But accustomed from
his infancy to conceal his internal thoughts, he appeared in the course
of a week the gayest and best bred passenger who ever dared the long and
weary space betwixt Old England and her Indian possessions.
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