There was an ambiguity about this person's
character- a stain upon his reputation- yet none could tell
precisely of what nature; although the city-gossips, male and
female, whispered the most atrocious surmises. Until a recent period
he had followed the sea, and was, in fact, the very ship-master whom
George Herkimer had encountered, under such singular circumstances, in
the Grecian Archipelago.
"What bosom-serpent has the sharpest sting?" repeated this man: but
he put the question as if by a reluctant necessity, and grew pale
while he was uttering it.
"Why need you ask?" replied Roderick, with a look of dark
intelligence. "Look into your own breast! Hark, my serpent bestirs
himself! He acknowledges the presence of a master-fiend!"
And then, as the bystanders afterwards affirmed, a hissing sound
was heard, apparently in Roderick Elliston's breast. It was said, too,
that an answering hiss came from the vitals of the shipmaster, as if a
snake were actually lurking there, and had been aroused by the call of
its brother-reptile.
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