That, too, is best so, for I would not have him claim my boy.

Never let him learn that Justin exists, unless it be to punish him by the knowledge for his cruel desertion of me." Choking, the writing blurred by tears that he accounted no disgrace to his young manhood, Everard had sworn in that hour that Justin should be as a son to him.

He would do her will, and he set upon it a more definite meaning than she intended.

Rotherby should remain in ignorance of his son's existence until such season as should make the knowledge a very anguish to him.

He would rear Justin in bitter hatred of the foul villain who had been his father; and with the boy's help, when the time should be ripe, he would lay my Lord Rotherby in ruins.