famous and depraved.'

"'We have gone far enough, then,' said I, catching hold of his arm;
'take from me, in common mercy, my life! weary and odious and
insupportable as it henceforward must be; for in the state of despair
into which you now plunge me, death would be the greatest favour you
could bestow--a favour worthy of a father's hand.'

"'I should only give you what you deserve,' replied he; 'I know fathers
who would not have shown as much patience as I have, but would
themselves have executed speedy justice; but it is my foolish and
excessive forbearance that has been your ruin.'

"I threw myself at his feet: 'Ah!' exclaimed I, 'if you have still any
remains of mercy, do not harden your heart against my distress and
sorrow. Remember that I am your child! Alas! think of my poor mother!
you loved her tenderly! would you have suffered her to be torn from
your arms? You would have defended her to the death! May not the same
feeling then be pardoned in others? Can persons become barbarous and
cruel, after having themselves experienced the softening influence of
tenderness and grief?'

"'Breathe not again the sacred name of your mother,' he exclaimed, in a
voice of thunder; 'the very allusion to her memory rouses my
indignation. Had she lived to witness the unredeemed profligacy of
your life, it would have brought her in pain and sorrow to her
grave.--Let us put an end to this discussion' he added; 'it distresses
me, and makes not the slightest change in my determination: I am going
back to my lodgings, and I desire you to follow me.'

"The cool and resolute tone in which he uttered this command, convinced
me that he was inexorable. I stepped some paces aside, for fear he
should think fit to lay hands upon me.

"'Do not increase my misery and despair,' said I to him, 'by forcing me
to disobey you. It is impossible for me to follow you; and equally so
that I should continue to live, after the unkind treatment I have
experienced from you. I, therefore, bid you an eternal adieu. When
you know that I am dead, as I shall soon be, the paternal affection
which you once entertained for me may be perhaps revived.'

"As I was about to turn away from him: 'You refuse then to follow me,'
cried he, in a tone of excessive anger. 'Go! go on to your ruin.
Adieu! ungrateful and disobedient boy.'

"'Adieu!' exclaimed I to him, in a burst of grief, 'adieu, cruel and
unnatural father!'

"I left the Luxembourg, and r