“Mother,” said Harry, rising up and approaching her with a face of significant severity; “mother, you have forced me to say--and heaven knows the pain with which I say it--that I am ashamed of you. Why will you use language that is calculated to alienate from me the affections of a brother and sister whom I love with so much tenderness? I trust you understand me when I tell you now that I identify myself with their feelings and objects, and that no sordid expectation of your property shall ever induce me to take up your quarrel or separate myself from them. Dispose of your property as you wish; I for one shall not earn it by sacrificing the best affections of the heart, nor by becoming a slave to such a violent and indefensible temper as yours. As for me, I shall not stand in need of your property--I will have enough of my own.” They looked closely at each other; but that look was sufficient. The cunning mother thoroughly understood the freemason glance of his eye, and exclaimed,-- “Well, I see I am abandoned by all my children; but I will endeavor to bear it. I now leave you to yourselves--to meditate and put in practice whatever plot you please against my happiness. Indeed, I know what a consolation my death would be to you all.” She then withdrew, in accordance with the significant look which Harry gave towards the door. “Harry,” said Lindsay, holding out his hand, “you are not the son of my blood, but I declare to heaven I love you as well as if you were. Your conduct is noble and generous; ay, and as a natural consequence, disinterested; there is no base and selfish principle in you, my dear boy; and I honor and love you as if I were your father in reality.” “Harry,” said Maria, kissing him, “I repeat and feel all that dear papa has said.” “And so do I,” exclaimed Charles, “and if I ever entertained any other feeling, I fling it to the winds.” “You all overrate me,” said Harry; “but, perhaps, if you were aware of my private remonstrances with my mother upon her unfortunate principles and temper, you would give me more credit even than you do. My object is to produce peace and harmony between you, and if I can succeed in that I shall feel satisfied, let my mother's property go where it may. Of course, you must now be aware that I separate myself from her and her projects, and identify myself, as I said, with you all. Still, there is one request I have to make of you, father, my dear father, for well I may call you so; and it is that you will not, as an independent man and a gentleman, attempt to urge this marriage, on which you seem to have set your heart, between Charles and Goodwin's daughter. You are not aware of what I know upon this subject. She and Ferdora O'Connor are about to be married; but I will not mention what I could mention until after that ceremony shall have taken place.” “Well,” said his sister, “you appear to speak very sincerely, Harry, but I know and feel that there is some mistake somewhere.”