nd to have watched him in his sickness.
Deserted as I have been for so many years, I trust that I have not
disgraced you, General De Benyon; and if ever I have done wrong, it has
been from a wish to discover you. I can appeal to Lord Windermear for
the truth of that assertion. Allow me to say, that it is a very severe
trial--an ordeal which few pass through with safety--to be thrown as I
have been upon the world, with no friend, no parent to assist or to
advise me, to have to bear up against the contingency of being of
unacknowledged and perhaps disgraceful birth. It is harder still, when
I expected to find my dearest wishes realised, that, without any other
cause than that of my features resembling those of my mother, I am to be
again cast away. One thing, General De Benyon, I request, and I trust
it will not be denied, which is, that I may assume the name which I am
entitled to. I pledge you that I never will disgrace it. And now, sir,
asking and expecting no more, I take my leave, and you may be assured,
that neither poverty, privation, nor affliction of any kind, will ever
induce me to again intrude into your presence. General De Benyon,
farewell for ever." I made my father a profound bow, and was quitting
the room.

"Stop, sir," said the general. "Stop one moment, if you please." I
obeyed.

"Why did you put me out of temper? Answer me that."

"Allow me to observe, sir, that I did not put you out of temper; and
what is more, that I never lost my own temper during the insult and
injury which I so undeservedly and unexpectedly have received."

"But that very keeping your temper made me more angry, sir."

"That is very possible; but surely I was not to blame. The greatest
proof of a perfect gentleman is, that he is able to command his temper,
and I wished you to acknowledge that I was not without such
pretensions."

"That is as much as to say that your father is no gentleman; and this, I
presume, is a specimen of your filial duty," replied the general,
warmly.

"Far from it, sir; there are many gentlemen who, unfortunately, cannot
command their tempers, and are more to be pitied than blamed for it;
but, sir, when such happens to be the case, they invariably redeem their
error, and amply so, by expressing their sorrow, and offering an
apology."

"That is as much as to say, that you expect me to apologise to you."

"Allow me, sir, to ask you, did you ever know a De Benyon submit to an
insult?"