You may make your mind easy on that score." "Then who is this Ralph whom you have never seen, and to whom you are leaving so much ?" I asked, with my usual desire for information.
He glared at me for a moment, and then he turned his face away.
"D----n it! What does it matter, now I'm dying ?" he said.

And then he added, hoarsely, "I knew his mother." I could not speak, but involuntarily I put out my hand and took his leaden one and held it.

He scowled at me, and then the words came out, as if in spite of himself-- "She--if she had married me, who knows what might--But she married Danvers.

She called her second son Ralph.

My first name is Ralph." Then, with a sudden change of tone, pulling away his hand, "There! now you know all about it! Edifying, isn't it?
These death-bed scenes always have an element of interest, haven't they?
_Good_-evening"-- ringing the bell at his elbow--"I can't say I hope we shall meet again.