I was more to blame than your uncle, was. Would
you believe it? although he refused your poor father the trust-money, he
went that moment to get L2000 of his own, and lend it to us. Oh, Henry,
when Dr Amboyne told me that, and opened my eyes, I could have thrown
myself at poor Guy's feet. I have been the most to blame in our unhappy
quarrel; and I have sent Dr. Amboyne to say so. Now, Henry, my brother
will forgive me, the doctor says; and, oh, my heart yearns to be
reconciled. You will not stand in my way, dearest?"

"Not likely. Why, I am under obligations to him, for my part."

"Yes, but Dr. Amboyne says dear Guy is deeply mortified by your refusal
to be his heir. For my sake, for your own sake, and for Grace Carden's
sake; change your mind now."

"What, go into his house, and wait for dead men's shoes! Find myself
some day wishing in my heart that noble old fellow would die! Such a
life turns a man's stomach even to think of it."

"No, no. Dr. Amboyne says that Mr. Bayne can conduct your business here,
and hand you a little income, without your meddling."

"That is true."

"And, as for your patents, gentlemen can sell them to traders, or lease
them out. My brother would make a settlement on Grace and you--she is
his goddaughter--now that is all Mr. Carden demands. Then you could
marry, and, on your small present income, make a little tour together;
and dispose of your patents in other places."

"I could do great things with them in the United States."

"That is a long way."

"Why, it is only twelve days."

"Well, marry first," said the politic mother.

Henry flushed all over. "Ah!" said he, "you tempt me. Heaven seems to
open its gates as you speak. But you can not be in earnest; he made
it an express condition I should drop my father's name, and take his.
Disown my poor dead father? No, no, no!"

Now in reality this condition was wormwood to Mrs. Little; but she knew
that if she let her son see her feeling, all was over. She was all the
mother now, and fighting for her son's happiness: so she sacrificed
truth to love with an effort, but without a scruple. "It is not as if
it was a strange name. Henry, you compel me to say things that tear my
heart to say, but--which has been your best friend, your mother, or your
poor dear father?"

Henry was grieved at the question: but he was a man who turned his back
on nothing. "My father loved me," said he: "I can remember that; but he
deserted me, and you, in