“I have read that those who yield to the influence of false sentimentalism, never rise in the world. He who would attain to the pinnacle of eminence, must harden his heart,--even as did Napoleon, when he put away from him that charming Josephine who loved him with such pure and fervid devotion. Yes--family, kith, and kindred must be sacrificed--all sacrificed--by him who follows the dictates of his ambition. And yet--and yet, did not Richard Markham rise by his virtues, as much as by his talents and heroism, to that eminence which enabled him to take his place amongst the mightiest Princes of Europe? Oh! but _he_ had opportunities which may never occur again--he is the one in the thousand whom Fortune takes by the hand. If I remain obscure--unknown--plain _Mr. Charles Hatfield_--I am but an unit amidst the millions which, constitute the mass called _the People_. But if I suddenly stand forth as a Viscount, and the heir of a wealthy Earldom, shall I not at once be placed in a position to carve out a career for myself? Oh! how glorious--how thrilling would it be, to have the power of saying to my Perdita, ‘_Beautiful angel! I am not the obscure young man I appear to be: in me behold Viscount Marston, the heir to the Earldom of Ellingham!_’ Ah! Perdita, then would you feel honoured in my love--and I should not be compelled to evince my gratitude to thee for loving me! Charming, adorable Perdita--thine image is coupled with the bright dream of ambition that now animates me;--for when I shall have distinguished myself in the Senate, how delicious will it be to see thee welcome with pride and admiration my return to thine arms,--to behold thy fine eyes fixed upon me, eloquently proclaiming how proud thou art to own the love of a man who is filling the world with his fame! Yes--I must assert my rights:--but how? Oh! I will confide all to Perdita--and she possesses a mind so strong and an intellect so powerful, that she will assist me with her counsel in this difficulty. And it will be so sweet to receive advice from her lips--so delightful to mark the interest which she will take in my affairs!” Again he rose from his seat: for a sudden thought had struck him--accompanied by a severe pang,--a pang that went through his heart like a barbed arrow. “My mother!--my poor mother!” he murmured to himself: “Oh! what a blow will it be to _her_ if I compel my father--compel her husband--to assert his claims to the Earldom of Ellingham! And yet--was I not for years neglected by her?--did she care for me--did she even have me to dwell with her during my infancy? No--no: I was abandoned to the woman Watts;--and had I become a thief in the streets--a prowling, houseless vagabond--my mother would have been to blame!”