In the erect head, the broad massive chest,
in the whole presence, there was dignity--there was power.
"Hark to me, unhappy reprobate, and heed me well! To save that child
from the breath of disgrace--to place her in what you yourself assured
me where her rights amidst those in whose dwellings I lost the privilege
to dwell when I took to myself your awful burthen--I thought to resign
her charge for ever in this world. Think not that I will fly her now,
when you invade. No--since my prayers will not move you--since my
sacrifice to you has been so fruitless--since my absence from herself
does not attain its end there, where you find her, shall you again meet
me! And if there we meet, and you come with the intent to destroy her
peace and blast her fortune, then I, William Losely, am no more the
felon. In the face of day I will proclaim the truth, and say, 'Robber,
change place in earth's scorn with me; stand in the dock, where thy
father stood in vain to save thee!"'
"Bah, sir--too late now; who would listen to you?"
"All who have once known me--all will listen. Friends of power and
station will take up my cause. There will be fresh inquiry into
facts that I held back--evidence that, in pleading guilty, I
suppressed--ungrateful one--to ward away suspicion from you."
"Say what you will," said Jasper swaying his massive form to and fro,
with a rolling gesture which spoke of cold defiance, "I am no hypocrite
in fair repute whom such threats would frighten. If you choose to thwart
me in what I always held my last resource for meat and drink, I must
stand in the dock even, perhaps, on a heavier charge than one so stale.
Each for himself; do your worst--what does it matter?"
"What does it matter that a father should accuse his son! No, no--son,
son, son--this must not be;--let it not be!--let me complete my
martyrdom! I ask no reversal of man's decree, except before the Divine
Tribunal. Jasper, Jasper--child of my love, spare the sole thing left
to fill up the chasms in the heart that you laid waste. Speak not of
starving, or of fresh crime. Stay--share this refuge! I WILL WORK FOR
BOTH!"
Once more, and this time thoroughly, Jasper's hideous levity and coarse
bravado gave way before the lingering human sentiment knitting him back
to childhood, which the sight and voice of his injured father had called
forth with spasms and throes, as a seer calls the long-buried from a
grave. And as the old man extended his arms ple
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