Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/138

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
136
LADY ANNE GRANARD.

twinkling, and there's a loaf an' a bottle o' beer in the locker, at all events."

"An' a bit o' mutton, too, for his honour's brother, which I call great luck, great luck."

"Luck!" exclaimed Lord Meersbrook, recalling his senses. "Sally, here is a lucky purse for you; you must keep it and a bit of the gold in it for your boy, and then he'll never want, you know."

"Well, zur. Oh! dear, I'm raally ashamed; doan't ee go up without the loaf an' bottle, doant ee; hunger's a sad thing. What a heap o' golden pieces, all spick an' span! Jim shall have a hat an' feather all round."

The murmurings of Sally's voice ceased, and many hands, for all were weak ones, assisted in receiving the stranger, and he looked round from one pale and sallow face to another, for the one he sought. "Go to the cabin, sir," was said by someone near him, and soon afterwards a hand took hold of his and led him to the captain's cabin. "Alas! " thought he, "Arthur keeps his bed; I have arrived to see him die." The person who led him in, closed the door—then fell on his neck, exclaiming, "Frederic, you do not know me!"

And was this lank, shadowy, parchment-skinned creature, Arthur?—the handsome, animated, loveable Arthur? Where was the fire of his eye? the charm of his smile? the youth and vigour