From an honoured place in the land, I descend voluntarily to become a nameless exile; for, once certain that Clara Mowbray's peace is assured, Britain no longer holds me .-- All this I do, sir, not in any idle strain of overheated feeling, but seeing, and knowing, and dearly valuing, every advantage which I renounce--yet I do it, and do it willingly, rather than be the cause of farther evil to one, on whom I have already brought too--too much." His voice, in spite of his exertions, faltered as he concluded the sentence, and a big drop which rose to his eye, required him for the moment to turn towards the window.
"I am ashamed of this childishness," he said, turning again to Captain Jekyl; "if it excites your ridicule, sir, let it be at least a proof of my sincerity." "I am far from entertaining such sentiments," said Jekyl, respectfully--for, in a long train of fashionable follies, his heart had not been utterly hardened--"very far, indeed.

To a proposal so singular as yours, I cannot be expected to answer--except thus far--the character of the peerage is, I believe, indelible, and cannot be resigned or assumed at pleasure.

If you are really Earl of Etherington, I cannot see how your resigning the right may avail my friend." "You, sir, it might not avail," said Tyrrel, gravely, "because you, perhaps, might scorn to exercise a right, or hold a title, that was not legally yours.

But your friend will have no such compunctious visitings.
If he can act the Earl to the eye of the world, he has already shown that his honour and conscience will be easily satisfied." "May I take a copy of the memorandum containing this list of documents," said Captain Jekyl, "for the information of my constituent ?" "The paper is at your pleasure, sir," replied Tyrrel; "it is itself but a copy .-- But Captain Jekyl," he added, with a sarcastic expression, "is, it would seem, but imperfectly let into his friend's confidence--he may be assured his principal is completely acquainted with the contents of this paper, and has accurate copies of the deeds to which it refers." "I think it scarce possible," said Jekyl, angrily.
"Possible and certain!" answered Tyrrel.

"My father, shortly preceding his death, sent me--with a most affecting confession of his errors--this list of papers, and acquainted me that he had made a similar communication to your friend.