"'Go,' said his father. 'Degenerate son, disgrace not, by your presence, the halls of your ancestors. In vain you supplicate—in vain you attempt to move me from my fixed purposes by your assumed penitence.'
"'Have you no pity for your own offspring—for a being who, but for one unhappy act, never caused you a moment's pain—who has ever venerated and obeyed you?'
"No answer was returned.
"'Say you forgive me—I seek no more; and I will leave you never to return, until my future acts have shown that I am not entirely unworthy of the proud race from whence I have sprung.'
"The old man was silent.
"'For years a father's malison has embittered my life, and rendered me reckless of all consequences. Your pardon will restore me to myself; and can you refuse to grant it?'
"Still no response.
"'If not for one so unworthy as the miserable wretch before you, at least on her account who gave me birth. Say you forgive me.'
"'Never.'
"'Father, we meet for the last time; one word would have restored your son to happiness, and you refuse it. Farewell for ever!'