"Oh! then it was not a dream!" exclaimed Richard. "Dearest Eugene, say no more—we require no explanations—no apology for the past! Here is your child, Eugene—and mine also: your son and your little nephew are by your side!"
Eugene raised himself, by Ellen's aid, upon the litter, and embraced the two children with the most unfeigned tenderness.
For a few moments he gazed earnestly upon their innocent countenances: then, yielding to a sudden impulse, as the incidents of his own career swept through his memory, he exclaimed, "God grant that they prove more worthy of the name of Markham than I!"
Richard and Ellen implored him not to give way to bitter reflections for the past.
"Alas! such counsel is offered as vainly as it is kindly meant!" murmured Eugene. "My life has been tainted with many misdeeds—and not the least was my black infamy towards that excellent man, who afterwards became your friend, Richard—I mean Thomas Armstrong!"
"He forgave you—he forgave you, Eugene!" exclaimed the Prince.
"Ellen has informed me that you have in your possession a paper which he gave you on his death-bed——"
"And which is to be opened this day," added Richard.
Then, drawing forth the document, he broke the seal.
A letter fell upon the ground.