Crime & punishment > Peveril of the Peak > Volume 2

PEVERIL OF THE PEAK.
53
your sports to consume too much of time that
should be spent otherwise. Eut for your friend
Philip, he is an avowed contemner of good order,
and seems to find pleasure in wasting time, e\en
when he does not enjoy it.”
“I have been enjoying my time just now at
least,” said the Earl, rising from table, and pick¬
ing his teeth carelessly. “These fresh mullets
are delicious, and so is the Eachrymae Christi.
I pray you to sit down to breakfast, Julian, and
partake the goods my royal foresight has provided.
Never was King of Man nearer being left to the
mercy of the execrable brandy of his dominions.
Old Griffiths would never, in the midst of our
speedy retreat of last night, have had sense
enough to secure a few flasks, had I not given
him a hint on that important subject. But pre¬
sence of mind amid danger and tumult, is a jewel
I have always possessed.”
“I wish, then, Philip, you would exert it to
better purpose,” said the Countess, half smiling,
half displeased ; for she doated upon her son with
all a mother’s fondness, even when she was most
angry with him for being deficient in the pecu¬
liar and chivalrous disposition which had distin¬
guished his father, and which was so analogous
to her own romantic and high-minded character.
“Lend me your signet,” she added with a sigh;
“for it were, I fear, vain to ask you to read over
these dispatches from England, and execute the