How they could have
found out about the account so early is more than I can fathom;
some strange coincidence must have played me false! But there the
fact is; and Rowley, I'll not only have to say farewell to you
presently, I'll have to ask you to stay indoors until I can say it.
Remember, my boy, it's only so that you can serve me now.'
'W'y, sir, you say the word, and of course I'll do it!' he cried.
'"Nothink by 'alves," is my motto! I'm your man, through thick and
thin, live or die, I am!'
In the meantime there was nothing to be done till towards sunset.
My only chance now was to come again as quickly as possible to
speech of Flora, who was my only practicable banker; and not before
evening was it worth while to think of that. I might compose
myself as well as I was able over the Caledonian Mercury, with its
ill news of the campaign of France and belated documents about the
retreat from Russia; and, as I sat there by the fire, I was
sometimes all awake with anger and mortification at what I was
reading, and sometimes again I would be three parts asleep as I
dozed over the barren items of home intelligence. 'Lately
arrived'--this is what I suddenly stumbled on--'at Dumbreck's
Hotel, the Viscount of Saint-Yves.'
'Rowley,' said I.
'If you please, Mr. Anne, sir,' answered the obsequious, lowering
his pipe.
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