This is all a--a--mistake: I--I--came in search of--of--another--" "You did not, then, come to relieve her ?" said Philip, very calmly.

"You had not learned her suffering and distress, and flown hither in the hope that there was yet time to save her?
You did not do this?
Ha! ha!--why did I think it ?" "Did any one call, gentlemen ?" said a whining voice at the door; and the nurse put in her head.
"Yes--yes--you may come in," said Beaufort, shaking with nameless and cowardly apprehension; but Philip had flown to the door, and, gazing on the nurse, said, "She is a stranger! see, a stranger! The son now has assumed his post.
Begone, woman!" And he pushed her away, and drew the bolt across the door.
And then there looked upon him, as there had looked upon his reluctant companion, calm and holy, the face of the peaceful corpse.

He burst into tears, and fell on his knees so close to Beaufort that he touched him; he took up the heavy hand, and covered it with burning kisses.
"Mother! mother! do not leave me! wake, smile once more on your son! I would have brought you money, but I could not have asked for your blessing, then; mother, I ask it now!" "If I had but known--if you had but written to me, my dear young gentleman--but my offers had been refused, and--" "Offers of a hireling's pittance to her; to her for whom my father would have coined his heart's blood into gold! My father's wife!--his wife!--offers--" He rose suddenly, folded his arms, and facing Beaufort, with a fierce determined brow, said: "Mark me, you hold the wealth that I was trained from my cradle to consider my heritage.

I have worked with these hands for bread, and never complained, except to my own heart and soul.

I never hated, and never cursed you--robber as you were--yes, robber! For, even were there no marriage save in the sight of God, neither my father, nor Nature, nor Heaven, meant that you should seize all, and that there should be nothing due to the claims of affection and blood.