There are duties due from an individual, duties due from a nation, duties due from a family; as my ancestors thought, so think I.They left me the charge of their name, as the fief-rent by which I hold their lands.

'Sdeath, sir!--Pardon me the expletive; I was about to say that if I am now a childless old man, it is because I have myself known temptation and resisted.

I loved, and denied myself what I believed my best chance of happiness, because the object of my attachment was not my equal.

That was a bitter struggle,--I triumphed, and I rejoice at it, though the result was to leave all thoughts of wedlock elsewhere odious and repugnant.

These principles of action have made a part of my creed as gentleman, if not as Christian.
Now to the point.