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204 his own personal privations, but from the idea it involved of separation from his wife.

"Ah, massa," answered the faithful servant, sighing in his turn, "me be sorry it is no better; me wish dere had been at least a closet alongside, where me could have slept, dat dose two heavy articles of furniture might not have encumbered you here," pointing to the two chest beds the room contained.

"No matter," said De Brooke; "one of them, doubtless, has been designed to serve as a wardrobe."

"Begging your honour's pardon, you mistake, dey both are press beds", at the same time unfolding them to view, "and have been placed here by my missus' orders; for, wit your permission, she has tought it proper me should stay with you, seeing me am but little use to her at Kennington, having both de missus and de maid of de house to attend her. 'Go,' said she, 'Robert, go to your massa, watch ober him, be eber attentive to his wants; I shall be better satisfied by your so doing dan remaining here wit me.' Me told her she tought right."

"Think you so, Robert, truly," said De Brooke, interrupting him, "it will give your mistress pleasure as well as yourself my keeping you here?"