He was always careful to do his duty, quiet, and gentlemanly in manner, and in point of appearance, and dress, a credit to the ship.
Accordingly, all the reports that his captain had sent home of him had been favourable.
Great as was the rage and disappointment which Richard had felt, when he received the letter from his uncle telling him of the discovery of his long-lost granddaughter, he had the tact to prevent any signs of his feelings being visible, in the letter in which he replied.

The squire had told him that, although the discovery would, of course, make a considerable difference in his prospects, he should still, if the reports of his conduct continued satisfactory, feel it his duty to make a handsome provision for him.
"Thanks to my quiet life during the last ten years," the squire had written, "I have plenty for both of you.

The estate will, of course, go to her; but, always supposing that your conduct will be satisfactory, I shall continue, during my lifetime, the allowance you at present receive, and you will find yourself set down, in my will, for the sum of twenty thousand pounds." Richard had replied in terms which delighted the squire.
"You see, the boy has a good heart," he said, as he handed the letter to Mr.Wilks.

"No one could express himself better." His companion read the letter over in silence.
"Charmingly expressed," he said as he returned it.

"Almost too charmingly, it seems to me." "Come, come, Wilks, you are prejudiced against the young fellow, for that business with Aggie and young Walsham." "I hope I am not prejudiced, squire," his friend replied; "but when I know that a lad is a liar, and that he will bring false accusations to shield himself, and when I know that he was detested by all who came in contact with him--John Petersham, the gardener, and the grooms--I require a good deal more than a few satisfactory reports from his captain, who can know very little of his private character, and a soft-soldering letter like that, to reinstate him in my good opinion.