eyes and immovable face did indeed look rigid. "What
we have now to do is to punish the offence. I have not one standard
for myself and those I love--(and, Mr Benson, I did love him)--and
another for the rest of the world. If a stranger had forged my
name, I should have known it was my duty to prosecute him. You must
prosecute Richard."

"I will not," said Mr Benson.

"You think, perhaps, that I shall feel it acutely. You are mistaken.
He is no longer as my son to me. I have always resolved to disown
any child of mine who was guilty of sin. I disown Richard. He is
as a stranger to me. I shall feel no more at his exposure--his
punishment--" He could not go on, for his voice was choking. "Of
course, you understand that I must feel shame at our connexion; it is
that that is troubling me; that is but consistent with a man who has
always prided himself on the integrity of his name; but as for that
boy, who has been brought up all his life as I have brought up my
children, it must be some innate wickedness! Sir, I can cut him off,
though he has been as my right hand--beloved. Let me be no hindrance
to the course of justice, I beg. He has forged your name--he has
defrauded you of money--of your all, I think you said."

"Someone has forged my name. I am not convinced that it was your son.
Until I know all the circumstances, I decline to prosecute."

"What circumstances?" asked Mr Bradshaw, in an authoritative manner,
which would have shown irritation but for his self-command.

"The force of the temptation--the previous habits of the person--"

"Of Richard. He is the person," Mr Bradshaw put in.

Mr Benson went on, without taking any notice. "I should think it
right to prosecute, if I found out that this offence against me was
only one of a series committed, with premeditation, against society.
I should then feel, as a protector of others more helpless than
myself--"

"It was your all," said Mr Bradshaw.

"It was all my money; it was not my all," replied Mr Benson; and
then he went on as if the interruption had never been: "Against an
habitual offender. I shall not prosecute Richard. Not because he is
your son--do not imagine that! I should decline taking such a step
against any young man without first ascertaining the particulars
about him, which I know already about Richard, and which determine me
against doing what would blast his character for life--would destroy
every good quality he has."

"What good quality