"My father! he has ever love you dearly! Mother, my dear mother, do explain yourself!"
The poor lady laid her head on Eugene's shoulder, and wept. Eugene tried in vain to soothe her. At length he said, "May I see the letter, mother?"
"No, no; you will know its contents but too soon. Now, Eugene, answer me: have I not loved you well? have I not been a good mother to you?"
"The best of mothers," said Eugene, caressingly.
"Then you love me somewhat—you would do something for me!"
"Anything in my power, dear mother. I would lay down my life for you."
"It is not your life I want you to relinquish, foolish boy, but your fancies. Your father has taken most serious offense at your religious demonstrations, and swears he will disinherit you unless you recant. Unfortunately, although some of the estate is entailed, much of it is not, and you will lose a princely fortune if you deny his wish."
"What does he wish?"
"That you renounce in toto, all Catholic friends and all Catholic opinions."