e satisfied with moralizing over
human frailties, and display their skill in showing that the crime was
nothing exceptional, but a mere illustration of the law of original
sin. And all these people, be it borne in mind, are not the bad or the
depraved, but rather persons of reputable lives, safe opinions, and
even good intentions. Only imagine, then, what the weapon becomes when
wielded by the really wicked. I myself was hunted down by honorable
men,--gentlemen all of them, and of great attainments. Has _he_ told you
my story?" said he, pointing to his son.

"Yes, sir; and I only say that it could n't have happened in our country
here."

"To be sure it could," retorted the other, quickly; "the only difference
is, that you have made Lynch law an institution, and we practise it as a
social accident."

Thus chatting, they reached the hotel where they were to lodge till the
packet sailed.

The short interval before their departure passed off agreeably to all.
Quackinboss never wearied at hearing the doctor talk, and led him on to
speak of America, and what he had seen of the people, with an intense
interest.

"Could you live here, sir?" asked Quackinboss, at the close of one of
these discussions.

"It is my intention to live and die here," said the doctor. "I go back
to England now, that this boy may pay off a long load of vengeance for
me. Ay, Alfred, you shall hear my long-cherished plan at once. I want
you to become a fellow of that same University which drove me from its
walls. They were not wrong, perhaps,--at least, I will not now dispute
their right,--but I mean to be more in the right than they were. My
name shall stand upon their records associated with their proudest
achievements, and Layton the scholar, Layton the discoverer, eclipse the
memory of Layton the rebel."

This was the dream of many a year of struggle, defeat, and depression;
and now that it was avowed, it seemed as though his heart were relieved
of a great load of care. As for Alfred, the goal was one to stimulate
all his energies, and he pledged himself fervently to do his utmost to
attain it.

"And I must be with you the day you win," cried Quackinboss, with an
enthusiasm so unusual with him that both Layton and his son turned
their glances towards him, and saw that his eyes were glassy with tears.
Ashamed of his emotion, he started suddenly up, saying, "I'll go and
book our berths for Wednesday next."

CHAPTER XLVIII. AT ROME