THE WILMINGTONS. PART III. CHAPTER VIII. THE twopenny-post of the next day brought the following billet to Mr. Wilmington, written upon a shabby scrap of paper, and sealed with a wafer : MR. CRAIGLETHORPE TO MR. WILMINGTON. I think our account is simple enough, and requires no balancing. In the year 18- I remitted to you one hundred thousand pounds, for the safe arrival of which I had your acknowledgment. I VOL. III. B was a wealthy ninny in those days, and believed in honour, and gratitude, and friendship, and such nonsense. I told you to use the money, if you could benefit yourself by so doing; and that I should never ask you for anything but the principal. I don't mean to go back from my word,though I am so changed that neither you nor your wife know me. I thank heaven, I'm the same man as regards that: I never shuffled with a promise, and I never will. Please to pay the hundred thousand pounds into the house of Jones and Estcourt, Mincing-lane, as soon as convenient. Happening to have a balance in their hands, and they and their clerk happening to recollect me, I am in no immediate want for cash. MILES CRAIGLETHORPE. The paper fell from Mr. Wilmington's hands, and, turning pale as death, he sank back upon a sofa, and seemed ready to faint away. His wife ran for some water. |