thank god, it's fallen towards me!
dublin? but the poor lad has never been away from home. he will be as safe here as in dublin.
roderick, my darling, my wild boy, i have forebodings that our separation is to be a long one. i spent most of all night consulting the cards regarding your fate in the duel, and all signs betoke a separation. here is twenty guineas -- all that i have in the world -- and i want you to keep your father's sword and pistols, which you have known to use so like a man.
ah, roderick, it's a blessing to see that my darling boy has attained a position i always knew was his due, and for which i pinched myself to educate him. little patrick is a darling boy, and you live in great splendor, but how long will it last? your lady-wife knows she has a treasure she couldn't have had, had she taken a duke to marry her, but if, one day, she should tire of my wild roderick and his old-fashioned irish ways, or if she should die, what future would there be for my son and grandson?
you have not a penny of your own, and cannot transact any business without the countess' signature. upon her death, the entire estate would go to young brookside, who bears you little affection. you could be penniless tomorrow, and darling patrick at the mercy of his stepbrother.
i shall tell you a secret -- i shall not rest until i see you earl of duganstown, and my grandson, a lord viscount.
this head would become a coronet.
these things entail considerable expense, and you will need your lady's blessing, but the young boy forms the great bond of union between you and her ladyship, and there is no plan of ambition you could propose in which she would not join for the poor lad's benefit, and no expense she will not eagerly incur, if it might be any means be shown to tend to his advancement. you have important friends, and they can tell you how these things are done.
depend on it, artful hussy has some other scheme in her head now.
depend on it, there is some artifice. when once you get into that wicked town, you are not safe. there are scores of writs out against you for debt. if you are taken in london, and thrown into prison, your case is hopeless.
roderick, you must listen to me. as soon as they have you in london, they will get the better of my poor innocent lad; and the first thing that i shall hear of you will be that you are in trouble. you will be a victim of your own generous and confiding nature.
humph! i believe she is at the bottom of it -- the wicked schemer.