“There the Carvel speaks,” he cried, “and the true son of our generous province.  You can have no conception of the misfortunes come to me out of this quarrel.  The mortgages on my Western Shore tobacco lands are foreclosed, and Wilmot House itself is all but gone.  You well know, of course, that I would do the same by you, Richard.”

I smiled, but more in sadness than amusement.  Hardship had only degraded Mr. Marmaduke the more, and even in trouble his memory was convenient as is that of most people in prosperity.  I was of no mind to jog his recollection.  But I wanted badly to ask about his Grace.  Where had my fine nobleman been at the critical point of his friend’s misfortunes?  For I had had many a wakeful night over that same query since my talk with McAndrews.

“So you have come to your own again, Richard, my lad,” said Mr. Marmaduke, breaking in upon my train.  “I have felt for you deeply, and talked many a night with Margaret and Dorothy over the wrong done you.  Between you and me,” he whispered, “that uncle of yours is an arrant knave, whom the patriots have served with justice.  To speak truth, sir, I begin myself to have a little leaning to that cause which you have so bravely espoused.”

This time I was close to laughing outright.  But he was far too serious to remark my mirth.  He commenced once more, with an ahem, which gave me a better inkling than frankness of what bothered him.

“You will have an agent here, Richard, I take it,” said he.  “Your grandfather had one.  Ahem!  Doubtless this agent will advance you all you shall have need of, when you are well enough to see him.  Fact is, he might come here.”

“You forget, Mr. Manners, that I am a pirate and an outlaw, and that you are the shielder of such.”

That thought shook the pinch of Holland he held all over him.  But he recovered.

“My dear Richard, men of business are of no faction and of no nation.  Their motto is discretion.  And to obtain the factorship in London of a like estate to yours one of them would wear a plaster over his mouth, I’ll warrant you.  You have but to summon one of the rascals, promise him a bit of war interest, and he will leave you as much as you desire, and nothing spoken.”

“To talk plainly, Mr. Manners,” I replied, “I think ’twould be the height of folly to resort to such means.  When I am better, we shall see what can be done.”

His face plainly showed his disappointment.

“To be sure,” he said, in a whining tone, “I had forgotten your friends, Lord Comyn and Mr. Fox.  They may do something for you, now you own your estate.  My dear sir, I dislike to say aught against any man.  Mrs. Manners will tell you of their kindness to us, but I vow I have not been able to see it.  With all the money at their command they will not loan me a penny in my pressing need.  And I shame to say it, my own daughter prevents me from obtaining the money to keep us out of the Fleet.