Ah! my dear Lorrenna, many a restless night have I had on that varlet's account, as spouse knows.
That's as true as there's ghosts in the Catskills, as Dutchmen have it; for be darned if a single night passes that Alice suffers me to go to sleep peaceably.
Well, well; cheer thee, my niece; there is bounteous intelligence in store; nor think there is any idle fiction in this brain, as our divine poets picture.
There, there, Alice is getting into her romance again,--plain as my fist--she has been moonified ever since she became a subscriber for books at the new library! Planet struck, by gum, as philosophers have it, and--
And you have said so little to the purpose, that I must now interpose. My dear Lorrenna--Gustaffe--'tis your aunt who speaks--
There, now, pops in her word before a magistrate.
Would have told you in a brace of shakes, as gamblers have it, if she hadn't thrown the dice first. Yes, my pretty chicky--Gustaffe's vessel is now making up the Hudson; so, cheer thee! cheer thee, I say! your lover is not far off.
Gustaffe so near? blessed intelligence! Oh, the happiest wishes of my heart are gratified! But are you certain? Do not raise my hopes without cause. Are you quite certain? speak, dear aunt; are you indeed assured, Gustaffe's vessel has arrived?
Didn't think fit to break the news too suddenly, but you have it.
"The ship with wide-expanded canvas glides along and soon"--I forget the remainder of the quotation; but 'tis in the delectable work, "Robinson Crusoe"--soon will you hear him hail. [_A knock is heard._] My stars foretell that this is either him--
Oh, sir; Squire Knickerbocker, Herman, son of the late Derric Van Slaus, is in the hall.
That's not the him whom I expected, at all events.
Son of the individual whom I succeeded as burgomaster? Talk of the devil--now, I don't know how it is, but I'm always squalmish when in company of these lawyers that's of his cast. _Qui Tam._
He wishes to be introduced. What is your pleasure?
Let him be so, by all means. An honest man needn't fear the devil. [_Exit_ SOPHIA.
Excuse my presence, uncle. To hear him repeat his claims, would but afflict a heart already agonized: and with your leave, I will withdraw. [_Exit._
Aye, aye; let me alone to manage him, as a barrister says to his client when he cross-questions a witness. See Miss Lorrenna to her chamber, Mrs. Knickerbocker. This Herman is a d----d rogue, as the English have it; and he'll go to the dominions below, as the devil will have it, and as I have had it for the last twenty years.