The Novels of Charles Lever V.1- The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer (Volume 28)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1898 Excerpt: ... all the easy familiarity which brandy inspired--'I'1l tell your brother of the warm and generous hospitality you extended to me, at a time that, to all seeming, I needed such attentions--at a time, I say, when none but myself could know how independently I stood as regarded means; and of one thing be assured, Rogers, he whose caprice it now is to call himself Potts, is your friend, your fast friend, for life.' He wrung my hand cordially--perhaps it was the easiest way for an honest sailor, as he was, to acknowledge the patronising tone of my speech--but I could plainly see that he was sorely puzzled by the situation, and possibly very well pleased that there was no third party to be a spectator of it. 'Throw yourself there on that sofa, ' said he, ' and take a sleep.' And with that piece of counsel he left me, and went up on deck. CHAPTER IX MY INTEREST IN A LADY FELLOW-TRAVELLER Next mornings are terrible things, whether one awakes to the thought of some awful run of ill-luck at play, or with the racking headache of new port, or a very 'fruity' Burgundy. They are dreadful, too, when they bring memories--vague and indistinct, perhaps--of some serious altercations, passionate words exchanged, and expressions of defiance reciprocated; but, as a measure of self-reproach and humiliation, I know not any distress can compare with the sensation of awaking to the consciousness that our cups have so ministered to imagination, that we have given a mythical narrative of ourself and our belongings, and have built up a card edifice of greatness that must tumble with the first touch of truth. It was a sincere satisfaction to me that I saw nothing of the skipper on that' next morning.' He was so occupied with all the details of getting into port, that I escaped his notice, ...