[Devereux<br> Complete by Edward Bulwer-Lytton]@TWC D-Link book
Devereux
Complete

CHAPTER IX
3/12

I passed him with a sneer at his amusements, which were always those of conflicts against fish or fowl.

He answered me in the same strain, as he threw his nets into the boat, and pushed out to sea.

"How is it that you go alone ?" said I; "is there so much glory in the capture of mackerel and dogfish that you will allow no one to share it ?" "There are other sports besides those for men," answered Gerald, colouring indignantly: "my taste is confined to amusements in which he is but a fool who seeks companionship; and if you could read character better, my wise brother, you would know that the bold rover is ever less idle and more fortunate than the speculative dreamer." As Gerald said this, which he did with a significant emphasis, he rowed vigorously across the water, and the little boat was soon half way to the opposite islet.

My eyes followed it musingly as it glided over the waves, and my thoughts painfully revolved the words which Gerald had uttered.

"What can he mean ?" said I, half aloud; "yet what matters it?
Perhaps some low amour, some village conquest, inspires him with that becoming fulness of pride and vain-glory; joy be with so bold a rover!" and I strode away along the beach towards my place of watch; once only I turned to look at Gerald; he had then just touched the islet, which was celebrated as much for the fishing it afforded as the smuggling it protected.
I arrived at last at the hillock, and resumed my station.


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