Guly thought of Blanche, and his heart bounded; but the next moment his own noble self came back, and he answered promptly: "I will gladly be to you, Mr. Delancey, the son you desire. I will love you, cherish you; do as a
child should do toward a parent. But your wealth I cannot take. Let me see that distributed between those children who were disinherited by your wounded pride, and I shall be happy and contented in performing those duties which belong to you, from which you so cruelly cut yourself off."
"Children? my children? I have none."
"Where is Clinton's wife and his little son? Have they no claim upon your kindness?"
"It may be, it may be."
"And Clinton himself, he has been pardoned out, and is wasting his young life to gather a pittance which you could so easily bestow."
"Has he not disgraced and shamed me?"
"Pardon me, my friend; but was not the primal fault your own? Was he not driven to his desperate course by a father's pride and unkindness?"
"It may be, oh, it may be."
"Write their names upon that scroll from whence they have been crossed, and restore them once more to their rights and happiness."