I am a widow, and I trusted my
child and my all to that old man; he robbed me and my darling of almost
every farthing we had; and what has been my return for such baseness?
I have lived in this house and toiled like a slave; I have acted as
servant to my blessed child; night after night I have sat with her; and
month after month, when her husband has been away, I have nursed that
poor innocent; and the father having robbed me, the son turns me out of
doors!"

A sad thing it was to witness, and a painful proof how frequent were
these battles, that, as this one raged, the poor little boy sat almost
careless, whilst his bewildered grandfather stroked his golden head. "It
is quite clear to me, madam," I said, turning to Mrs. Mackenzie, "that
you and your son-in-law are better apart; and I came to tell him to-day
of a most fortunate legacy, which has been left to him, and which will
enable him to pay you to-morrow morning every shilling, every shilling
which he does NOT owe you?"

"I will not leave this house until I am paid every shilling of which I
have been robbed," hissed out Mrs. Mackenzie; and she sat down, folding
her arms across her chest.

"I am sorry," groaned out Clive, wiping the sweat off his brow, "I used a
harsh word; I will never sleep under the same roof with you. To-morrow I
will pay you what you claim; and the best chance I have of forgiving
you the evil which you have done me, is that we never should meet again.
Will you give me a bed at your house, Arthur? Father, will you come out
and walk? Good night, Mrs. Mackenzie; Pendennis will settle with you in
the morning. You will not be here, if you please, when I return; and so
God forgive you, and farewell."

Mrs. Mackenzie in a tragic manner dashed aside the hand which poor Clive
held out to her, and disappeared from the scene of this dismal dinner.
Boy presently fell a-crying; in spite of all the battle and fury, there
was sleep in his eyes.

"Maria is too busy, I suppose, to put him to bed," said Clive, with a
sad smile; "shall we do it, father? Come, Tommy, my son!" and he folded
his arms round the child, and walked with him to the upper regions.
The old man's eyes lighted up; his seared thoughts returned to him; he
followed his two children up the stairs, and saw his grandson in his
little bed; and, as we walked home with him, he told me how sweetly Boy
said "Our Father," and prayed God bless all those who loved him, as they
laid him to rest.