Page:Duty and Inclination. Volume 3.pdf/265

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DUTY AND INCLINATION.
263


"No, no, Massa; Robert knows better at his age; no more wife for poor Robert; Robert live single now."

"I fear, my dear Robert, I have been too hasty in my remarks; forgive me; I would not injure your quick feelings for the world. Relate to me your adventures since parting, now, or at any other time; but promise me this, that you will come and end your days with me."

"How like dat is wat you said when young, Massa," rejoined Robert, composing himself; "me never forget it; you used to lob poor black boy very much, and used to say, when you grew a man, you would share your fortunes wit him. In right you were de natural heir of your father Sir Aubrey, but he cut off poor Massa; Robert was very grateful all de same, and loved Massa better than had he been rich man; and wat could he do, dan serve Massa in distress, dat would have shared all his fortune wit him, had he not been wheedled out of it? Massa deceived in his family, but not deceived in his servant. Massa again offers Robert to come and share his fortune wit him."

"Yes!" exclaimed the General, "it will confer upon me a happiness unspeakable; your servitude shall be light, and we will try and forget the past by never talking of it."

"Massa, Robert means to share his fortune wit you, but he cannot go and live wit you, he has concerns to take care of far away by sea; and dis brings