"Indeed, I was sincere."

"You deceive yourself--the thing is impossible. Human nature is not so
far removed from its original guilt. _You_ wish my life to be prolonged,
when you hope to be a _gainer_ by my death. The thought is really
amusing--so originally philanthropic, but I forgive you, I should do
just the same in your place. Now, sit down if you can find a chair, I
have a few words to say to you--a few painful words."

Algernon took his seat on the bed without speaking. He perceived that
time had only increased the bitterness of his brother's caustic temper.

"Algernon," said the miser, "I will not enter into a detail of the past.
I robbed you of your share of my father's property to gratify my love of
money; and I married your mistress out of revenge. Both of these deeds
have proved a curse to me--I cannot enjoy the one, and I loathe the
other. I am dying; I cannot close my eyes in peace with these crimes
upon my conscience. Give me your hand, brother, and say that you forgive
me; and I will make a just restitution of the money, and leave you in
the undisturbed possession of the wife."

He laughed, that horrid fiendish laugh. Algernon shrunk back with strong
disgust, and relinquished the hand which no longer sought his grasp.

"Well, I see how it is. There are some natures that cannot amalgamate.
You cannot overcome the old hate; but say that you forgive me; it is all
I ask."

"If you can forgive yourself, Mark, I forgive you; and I pray that God