es, disinherited his son."

"No, sir," replied the old man, whilst a languid flush of indignation
was visible on his face, "he has not done so by his vices; but you,
sir, have morally disinherited yourself by your vices, by your general
profligacy, by your indefensible extravagance, and by your egregious
folly, A man placed in the position which you would have occupied, ought
to be a light and an example to society, and. not what you have been, a
reproach to your family, and a disgrace to your class. The virtues of
a man of rank should be in proportion to his station; but you have
distinguished yourself only by holding up to the world the debasing
example of a dishonorable and licentious life. What virtue can you plead
to establish a just claim to a position which demands a mind capable of
understanding the weighty responsibilities that are annexed to it, and
a heart possessed of such enlightened principles as may enable him to
discharge them in a spirit that will constitute him, what he ought to
be, a high example and a generous benefactor to his kind? Not one:
but if selfishness, contempt for all the moral obligations of life, a
licentious spirit that mocks at religion and looks upon human virtue
as an unreality and a jest--if these were to give you a claim to
the possession of rank and property, I know of no one more admirably
qualified to enjoy them. Dunroe, I am not now far from the grave; but
listen, and pay attention to my voice, for it is a warning voice."

"It was always so," replied his son, with sulky indignation; "it was
never anything else; a mere passing bell that uttered nothing but
advices, lectures, coffins, and cross-bones."

"It uttered only truth then, Dunroe, as you feel now to your cost.
Change your immoral habits. I will not bid you repent; because you would
only sneer at the word; but do endeavor to feel regret for the kind of
life you have led, and give up your evil propensities; cease to be a
heartless spendthrift; remember that you are a man: remember that you
have important duties to perform; believe that there are such things as
religion, and virtue, and honor in the world; believe that there is a
God a wise Providence, who governs that world upon principles of eternal
truth and justice, and to whom you must account, in another life, for
your conduct in this."

"Well, really, my lord," replied Dunroe, "as it appears that the lecture
is all you have to bestow upon me, I am quite willing th