, for patience. It was so exceedingly bitter to
know that the time drew near when I should see you no more; to feel that I
should stretch out my hands to you, and lean on you, and yet look no longer
on the dear face of my child, my boy, my all. But my prayers were heard;
the sting has passed away, and I am resigned. I am glad that we have spoken
of it; now my mind is calmer, and I can sleep. Good night, my son."

She pressed the customary good night kiss on his lips, and left him. He
closed the dictionary, leaned his elbow on the table, and rested his head
on his hand. His piercing black eyes were fixed gloomily on the floor, and
now and then his broad chest heaved as dark and painful thoughts crowded
up.

Mrs. Aubrey was the only daughter of wealthy and ambitious parents, who
refused to sanction her marriage with the object of her choice; and
threatened to disinherit her if she persisted in her obstinate course. Mr.
Aubrey was poor, but honest, highly cultivated and, in every sense of that
much abused word, a gentleman. His poverty was not to be forgiven, however,
and when the daughter left her father's roof, and wedded the man whom her
parents detested, she was banished for ever from a home of affluence, and
found that she had indeed forfeited her fortune. For this she was prepared,
and bore it bravely; but ere long severer trials came upon her.
Unfortunately, her husband's temper was fierce and ungovernable; and
pecuniary embarrassments rarely have the effect of sweetening such. He
removed to an inland town, and embarked in mercantile pursuits; but
misfortune followed him, and reverses came thick and fast. One miserable
day, when from early morning everything had gone wrong, an importunate
creditor, of wealth and great influence in the community, chafed at Mr.
Aubrey's tardiness in repaying some trifling sum, proceeded to taunt and
insult him most unwisely. Stung to madness, the wretched man resented the
insults; a struggle ensued, and at its close Mr. Aubrey stood over the
corpse of the creditor. There was no mode of escape, and the arm of the law
consigned him to prison. During the tedious weeks that elapsed before the
trial his devoted wife strove to cheer and encourage him. Russell was about
eleven years of age, and, boy though he was, realized most fully the
horrors of his parent's situation. The days of his trial came at last; but
the accused had surrendered himself to the demon Rage, had taken the life
of a fe