less you, dear sister, for what your
ladyship may add to his little store! As I gather from your letter, that
the sum which has been allowed to him has not been sufficient for his
expenses in the fine company which he has kept (and the grandson of the
Marquis of Esmond--one who had so nearly been his lordship's heir--may
sure claim equality with any other nobleman in Great Britain), and
having a sum by me which I had always intended for the poor child's
establishment, I entrust it to my eldest son, who, to do him justice,
hath a most sincere regard for his brother, to lay it out for Harry's
best advantage."

"It took him out of prison yesterday, madam. I think that was the best
use to which we could put it," interposed George, at this stage of his
mother's letter.

"Nay, sir, I don't know any such thing! Why not have kept it to buy
a pair of colours for him, or to help towards another estate and some
negroes, if he has a fancy for home?" cried the old lady. "Besides, I
had a fancy to pay that debt myself."

"I hope you will let his brother do that. I ask leave to be my brother's
banker in this matter, and consider I have borrowed so much from my
mother, to be paid back to my dear Harry."

"Do you say so, sir? Give me a glass of wine! You are an extravagant
fellow! Read on, and you will see your mother thinks so. I drink to your
health, nephew George! 'Tis good Burgundy. Your grandfather never loved
Burgundy. He loved claret, the little he drank."

And George proceeded with the letter:

"This remittance will, I trust, amply cover any expenses which, owing to
the mistake respecting his position, dearest Harry may have incurred.
I wish I could trust his elder brother's prudence as confidently as
my Harry's! But I fear that, even in his captivity, Mr. Esmond W. has
learned little of that humility which becomes all Christians, and which
I have ever endeavoured to teach to my children. Should you by chance
show him these lines, when, by the blessing of Heaven on those who go
down to the sea in ships, the Great Ocean divides us! he will know that
a fond mother's blessing and prayers follow both her children, and
that there is no act I have ever done, no desire I have ever expressed
(however little he may have been inclined to obey it!) but hath been
dictated by the fondest wishes for my dearest boys' welfare."

"There is a scratch with a penknife, and a great blot upon the letter
there, as if water had fallen on