Hetty Wesley

t as Mr. Samuel Annesley touched his prospects in the Company's service, and he did not conceal it. He had already reported the affair at the East India House and was looking forward to a highly un

aw, her bonnet replaced by a tall white cap: on his left the Captain in his shore-going clothes. He and the apothecary had mixed themselves a glass apiece of Jamaica rum, hot, with sugar and lemon-peel. At the foot of the table, with his inju

s wide open behind me, for air. I had the ship's chart spread before me when my second mate, Mr. Orchard, knocked at the door with word that all was ready to cast off. I asked him a few necessary questions, and while he stood there chatting I heard a splash just under my window. Well, that might have been anything-a warp cast off and the slack of it striking the water, we'll say. Whatever it was, I heard it, turned about, and with one knee on the window-locker (I remember it perfectly) took a glance out astern. I saw nothing

ly when you look into it, what does it amount to? Mr. Annesley- saving your presence-was known for a stern man: you may take it for certain he'd made enemies over there, and these Hindus are the devil (saving your presence again, ma'am) for nursing a grudge. 'Keep a stone in your pocket seven years: turn it, keep it for another seven; 'twill be ready at hand for your enemy'-that's their way. But, to begin with, an old jogi is nothing strange to meet on a ship before she clears. These beggars in the East will creep in anywhere. And

atever you call him-had entered the cabin for no good,

not thieves, nor avaricious, but religious men practising self-denial, who collect

ted race!" was the a

penumbra at the far end of the table. "I believe, Captain," said

known some whose charity extended

ies at Surat. My brother had powerful enemies: his letters make that clear. We must inquire into them-their numbers and the pa

ocularly, but instantly changed his tone. "You suggest that he may

g: but it certainly looks to me as if

d Matthew. "And lef

like

ll his boxes

Sam suggested. "We must see

d up as soon as you bring me authority: and I trust, for my own sake as well as yours, the contents will c

Mrs. Wesley when the door opene

s a gentleman without, wishes to see th

?" Mrs. Wesley turned

at Westminster and in

y," sa

e like him: but a badger-faced old gentleman who

he visitor stood in the doorway. Mrs. Wesley recognised him at once as the

aptain Bewes-"No? Well, if you were leaving, sir, I won't detain you: since, as I say, mine is family business. Mr. Matthew Wesley, I presume?"-with a quick turn towards his host as Captain Bewes slipped away-"And brother of this lady's husband? Quite so. No, I thank you, I do not smoke; but will take snuff, if the company allows. I have he

stately curtsey. "The name suffices for us, sir. I

n to Dangan since Harry Fifth's time; and to our name since Guy of Welswe was made a thane by Athelstan. We have a knack, ma'am, of stay

le aside and craning forward (he was short

ther distress you to learn that the Whig took a whipping. I like that boy of yours, ma'am: he has breed. I do not forget"-with another bow-"his mother's descent from the Annesleys of Anglesea and Valentia: but she will forgive me that, while wat

? I am a practical man, who has been forced to make his own way in the world, and has made it, I thank God. I never found these ancestors of any use to me;

it gave us the palmer-shells on our coat of arms- argent, a cross sable, in each corner three escallops of the last. I believe, ma'am, the c

ed. "We keep the

"Better for you, Susanna, if your

r, sir, if you have patience. Crest, a wivern proper: motto, 'God is love.' I am thinking, ma'

ne nobler, sir," M

m, if you can spare

the room. Samuel half rose from his couch and passed a nervous hand over his thick black hair. His purblind eyes sought

hopes with him. He was my brother, and God-who understands mothers, and knows, moreover, how small was ever Samuel Annesley's kindness-must forgive me that I grieved less for him than for Charles's sake. The tale was brought us by the honest man who has just left, and it is scarcely told wh

above gratitude. I make this offer to please mysel

have learnt to submit to my husband's judgment. To be sure I have acquired some skill in guessing at it." She

glects," pu

d in their hearts. It will appear strange to you that he should rate these above wealth and a castle in Ireland and a seat in Parliament; but in fact he wou

"that he would like all these the bette

ntreaties and allow Charles to choose for himself. And this for the moment,

with the offer and don't be a fool. My brothe

ey, "as childless men, are in no po

ten children alive-Heaven knows how many she's buried-ten children alive and half-clothed, and herself the youngest of twenty-five!" He broke off and chuckled. "Did you ever hear tell, sir, what old Dr. Martin said after baptizing Susanna here? Someone asked him '

esley began. But the apothecary for the

a fool. You are no child; you know your father, and that, if given one chance in a hundred to act perversely, he'll tak

of it, that my father ought to be told; and that th

ou've made of your father's ambitions-you, with your infatuation for that rogue Atterbury, and your born gift of choosing the cold side of favour! You might have been Freind's successor, Head Master of Westminst

r I get Nicoll's place or no, God will decide, who knows if I deserve it. Let it rest in His hands. But when you speak of Bishop Atterbury, and when I

ch mastered her-strong woman though she was-in her husband's. And this was the tragic note in her love for Sam-the more tragic because never sounded. Sam had learning, diligence, piety, a completely honest mind; he had never caused her an hour's reasonable anxiety; only-to this eldest son she had not transmitted his father's genius, that o

nlocked the glazed doors of a bookcase b

ile of 'em. Listen: 'The Grunting of a Hog,' 'To my Gingerbread Mistress,' 'A Box like an Egg,' 'Two Soldiers killing one another for a Groat,' 'A Pair of Breeches,' 'A Cow's Tail'-there's titles for you! Cow's tail, indeed! And here, look you, is t

had taken his hat and stood with his gaze for the most part fastened on the carpet, but lifted now and then when directly challenged by the apothecary's harangue. The

was saying calmly, "that my brother

sanna, I beg your pardon, but you'd provoke a saint." He dropped into his chair.

. "But you must e'en let us go our feckless way. Sir,"

ave another string to my bow, should he refuse the offer. But meantime, and while 'tis unc

some extent, m

urther of this by letter. May I say, that if I chose his father's son, I have come to