I never learned his name but I know that he was not my father." Mascarin affected not to notice the emotion of his young client.
"Did the allowance cease at your mother's death ?" continued he.
"No; it was stopped when I came of age.

My mother told me that this would be the case; but it seems only yesterday that she spoke to me of it.

It was on my birthday, and she had prepared a little treat for my supper; for in spite of the affliction my birth had caused her, she loved me fondly.

Poor mother! 'Paul,' said she, 'at your birth a genuine friend promised to help me to bring up and educate you, and he kept his word.

But you are now twenty-one, and must expect nothing more from him.
My son, you are a man now, and I have only you to look to.