Author: Mary Elizabeth Braddon

Publisher: Theclassics.Us

Published: 2013-09

Total Pages: 84

ISBN-13: 9781230292861

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 edition. Excerpt: ... THE CAPTAIN OF THE VULTURE. CHAPTER I. THE WAT TO MAELEY WATEE. " No one by the Highflier to-night? " asked the blacksmith of Compton-on-the-Moor of the weak-eyed landlord of the Black Bear, first and greatest hostelry in that parish. " No one but Captain Duke." " What? the Captain has been up in London, then, maybe? " " He has been there three weeks and over," replied the landlord, who seemed rather of a desponding nature, and not conversationally inclined. " Ah! urn! " said the blacksmith; " three weeks and more up in London; three weeks and more away from that pretty-spoken lady of his; three weeks gambling, and roystering, and fighting, and beating of the watch, and dancing at that fine roundabout place at Chelsea, and suppers in Covent Garden; three weeks spending of the king's money; three weeks " " Going to the devil; three weeks going to the devil! " said a voice behind him; " why not say it in plain English, John Homerton, while you're about it? " " Bless us and save us, if it isn't Mr. Darrell Markham!" " Himself, and nobody else," said the speaker, a tall man in a riding-dress and high boots, wearing a threecornered hat, drawn very much over his eyes; " but keep it dark, Homerton; nobody in Compton knows I'm here; it's only a business visit and a flying visit. I'm off in a couple of hours. What wis that you were saying about Captain George Duke, of L'j Majesty's ship the Vulture? " " Why, I was saying, Master Darrell, that if I had such a pretty wife as Mistress Duke, and could only be with her two months out of the twelve, I wouldn't spend half of those two months roystering and gallivanting up in London. I think your cousin might have made a better match of it, Master Darrell Markham, with her pretty face." " I think she...