This last consideration, joined, if not to affection, still to habit,--to the link between blood and blood, which even the hardest find it difficult to sever,--prevailed.

He extended his pale hand to Gabriel, and said gently,-- "I will take you, if we rightly understand each other.

Once again in my power, I might constrain you to my will, it is true.

But I rather confer with you as man to man than as man to boy." "It is the best way," said Gabriel, firmly.
"I will use no harshness, inflict no punishment,--unless, indeed, amply merited by stubborn disobedience or wilful deceit.

But if I meet with these, better rot on a dunghill than come with me! I ask implicit confidence in all my suggestions, prompt submission to all my requests.
Grant me but these, and I promise to consult your fortune as my own, to gratify your tastes as far as my means will allow, to grudge not your pleasures, and when the age for ambition comes, to aid your rise if I rise myself,--nay, if well contented with you, to remove the blot from your birth, by acknowledging and adopting you formally as my son." "Agreed! and I thank you," said Gabriel.