ourselves, we are so proud of our fathers, if we have a decent excuse for
it. Of his father could Lionel Haughton be proud now? And Darrell was
cognizant of his paternal disgrace, had taunted his father in yonder old
hall--for what?--the marriage from which Lionel sprang! The hands grew
tighter and tighter before that burning face. He did not weep, as he had
done in Vance's presence at a thought much less galling. Not that tears
would have misbecome him. Shallow judges of human nature are they who
think that tears in themselves ever misbecome boy or even man. Well did
the sternest of Roman writers place the arch distinction of humanity
aloft from all meaner of Heaven's creatures, in the prerogative of tears!
Sooner mayst thou trust thy purse to a professional pickpocket than give
loyal friendship to the man who boasts of eyes to which the heart never
mounts in dew! Only, when man weeps he should be alone,--not because
tears are weak, but because they should be sacred. Tears are akin to
prayers. Pharisees parade prayer! impostors parade tears. O Pegasus,
Pegasus,--softly, softly,--thou hast hurried me off amidst the clouds:
drop me gently down--there, by the side of the motionless boy in the
shadowy glen.




CHAPTER VII.

Lionel Haughton, having hitherto much improved his chance of
fortune, decides the question, "What will he do with it?"

"I have been seeking you everywhere," said a well-known voice; and a hand
rested lightly on Lionel's shoulder. The boy looked up, startled, but
yet heavily, and saw Guy Darrell, the last man on earth he could have