didn't receive a remittance by return of post; but I never sent him a
shilling. About a year after our last meeting, I received the
announcement of his marriage with Miss Geoffry. He wrote to tell me that,
if I would allow him a decent income, he would reform and lead a steady
life. That letter I did answer: to the effect that, if he chose to come
here and act as my shopman, I would give him board and lodging for
himself and his wife, and such wages as he should deserve. I told him
that I had given him his chance as a gentleman, and he had thrown it
away. I would give him the opportunity now of succeeding in a humbler
career by sheer industry and perseverance as I had succeeded myself. If
he thought that I had made a fortune, there was so much the more reason
for him to try his luck. This was the last letter I ever wrote to him. It
was unanswered; but about a year and a half afterwards there came a few
lines to his mother, telling her of the birth of a daughter, which was to
be called Marian, after her. This last letter came from Brussels."

"And did you hear no more of your son after this?" Gilbert asked.

"Nothing. I think his mother used to get letters from him in secret for
some time; that these failed suddenly at last; and that anxiety about her
worthless son--anxiety which she tried to hide from me--shortened her
life. She never complained, poor soul! never mentioned Percy's name until
the last, when she begged me to be kind to him if he should ever come to
throw himself upon my kindness. I gave her my promise that, if that came
to pass, he should find me a better friend to him than he deserved. It is
hard to refuse the last prayer of a faithful wife who has done her duty
patiently for nearly thirty years."

"Have you any reason to suppose your son still living?"