"With all my heart. A truce everlasting let there be; but, in truth, I merely came to caution you against inter-meddling in _my affairs_, to tell you to beware of sowing jealousy and ill-will between the _old man_ and me. Prate away on other subjects as much as you please; but on this affair of Risberg's hold your tongue for the future." "I thank you for your brotherly advice, but I am afraid I never shall bring myself to part with the liberty of _prating_ on every subject that pleases me; at least, my forbearance will flow from my own discretion, and not from the imperious prohibition of another." He laughed. "Well said, oddity. I am not displeased to see you act with some spirit: but I repeat my charge; _be quiet_. Your interference will do no good." "Indeed, I firmly believe that it will not; and _that_ will be a motive for my silence that shall always have its due weight with me. Risberg, I see, must look elsewhere for a father and a brother." "Poor thing! do; put its finger in its eye and weep. Ha! ha! ha! poor Risberg! how would he laugh to see these compassionate tears! It seem she has written in a very doleful strain to thee,--talked very pathetically about his debts to his laundress and his landlady. I have a good mind to leave thee in this amiable ignorance; but I'll prove for once a kind brother, by telling you that Risberg is a profligate and prodigal; that he neglects every study but that of dice; that this is the true reason why I have stood in the way of the old man's bounty to him. I have unquestionable proof of his worthlessness, and see no reason to throw away money upon London prostitutes and gamblers. I never mentioned this to the old man, because I would not needlessly distress him, for I know he loves Jack at least as well as his own children. I tell it you to justify my conduct, and hope that I may for once trust to your good sense not to disclose it to your father." My heart could not restrain its indignation at these words. "'Tis false!" I exclaimed; "'tis a horrid calumny against one who cannot defend himself! I will never believe the depravity of my absent brother, till I have as good proof of it as my present brother has given me of his." "Bravo, my girl! who could have thought you could give the lie with such a grace? Why don't you spit in the face of the vile calumniator? But I am not angry with you, Jane; I only pity you; yet I'll not leave you before I tell you my mind. I have no doubt Risberg means to return. He knows on what footing you are with Mrs. Fielder, and will take care to return; but, mind me, Jane, you shall never throw yourself and your fortune away upon Risberg, while I have a voice or an arm to prevent it. And now--good-by to you."