But at this sally , which I made with something of a smile myself , he fairly laughed aloud . `` No , no , '' said he , `` it is not so bad as that . Fui , non sum . I was indeed your uncle 's man of business ; but while you -LRB- imberbis juvenis custode remoto -RRB- were gallivanting in the west , a good deal of water has run under the bridges ; and if your ears did not sing , it was not for lack of being talked about . On the very day of your sea disaster , Mr. Campbell stalked into my office , demanding you from all the winds . I had never heard of your existence ; but I had known your father ; and from matters in my competence -LRB- to be touched upon hereafter -RRB- I was disposed to fear the worst . Mr. Ebenezer admitted having seen you ; declared -LRB- what seemed improbable -RRB- that he had given you considerable sums ; and that you had started for the continent of Europe , intending to fulfil your education , which was probable and praiseworthy . Interrogated how you had come to send no word to Mr. Campbell , he deponed that you had expressed a great desire to break with your past life . Further interrogated where you now were , protested ignorance , but believed you were in Leyden . That is a close sum of his replies . I am not exactly sure that any one believed him , '' continued Mr. Rankeillor with a smile ; `` and in particular he so much disrelished me expressions of mine that -LRB- in a word -RRB- he showed me to the door . We were then at a full stand ; for whatever shrewd suspicions we might entertain , we had no shadow of probation . In the very article , comes Captain Hoseason with the story of your drowning ; whereupon all fell through ; with no consequences but concern to Mr. Campbell , injury to my pocket , and another blot upon your uncle 's character , which could very ill afford it . And now , Mr. Balfour , '' said he , `` you understand the whole process of these matters , and can judge for yourself to what extent I may be trusted . '' Indeed he was more pedantic than I can represent him , and placed more scraps of Latin in his speech ; but it was all uttered with a fine geniality of eye and manner which went far to conquer my distrust . Moreover , I could see he now treated me as if I was myself beyond a doubt ; so that first point of my identity seemed fully granted . `` Sir , '' said I , `` if I tell you my story , I must commit a friend 's life to your discretion . Pass me your word it shall be sacred ; and for what touches myself , I will ask no better guarantee than just your face . '' He passed me his word very seriously . `` But , '' said he , `` these are rather alarming prolocutions ; and if there are in your story any little jostles to the law , I would beg you to bear in mind that I am a lawyer , and pass lightly . ''
Thereupon I told him my story from the XXXXX , he listening with his spectacles thrust up and his eyes closed , so that I sometimes feared he was asleep .
Balfour Ebenezer Europe Fui Hoseason Leyden Rankeillor disaster first geniality