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"Our family; our honourable family, whose honour is of so much

account to both of us, in such different ways. Even in my

father's time, we did a world of wrong, injuring every human

creature who came between us and our pleasure, whatever it was.

Why need I speak of my father's time, when it is equally yours?

Can I separate my father's twin-brother, joint inheritor, and

next successor, from himself?"

"Death has done that!" said the Marquis.

"And has left me," answered the nephew, "bound to a system that

is frightful to me, responsible for it, but powerless in it;

seeking to execute the last request of my dear mother's lips, and

obey the last look of my dear mother's eyes, which implored me to

have mercy and to redress; and tortured by seeking assistance and

power in vain."

"Seeking them from me, my nephew," said the Marquis, touching him

on the breast with his forefinger--they were now standing by the

hearth--"you will for ever seek them in vain, be assured."