“Is it possible that a creature, made in God’s image, can possess such a hard heart?  Alas! sir, I have considered your avarice in the light of a dire disease; as such I have pitied and excused it.  The delusion is over.  You are but too sane, and I feel ashamed of my father!”

The old man started and clenched his fist, his teeth grated together, he glared upon his son with his fiery eyes, but remained obstinately silent.

Regardless of his anger, the young man continued—­“It is a hard thing for a son to be compelled to plead with his father in a cause like this.  Is there no world beyond the grave?  Does no fear of the future compel you to act justly? or are your thoughts so wholly engrossed with the dust on which you have placed all your earthly affections, that you will not, for the love of God, bestow a small portion of that wealth which you want the heart to enjoy, to save a brother from destruction?  Oh! listen to me, father—­listen to me, that I may love and bless you.”  He flung himself passionately at the old man’s feet.  “Give now, that you may possess treasures hereafter, that you may meet a reconciled brother and wife in the realms of bliss!”

“Fool!” exclaimed the miser, spurning him from his feet.  “In heaven they are neither married nor are given in marriage.  Your mother and I will never meet, and God forbid we should!”

Anthony shuddered.  He felt that such a meeting was impossible; and he started from the degrading posture he had assumed, and stood before the old man with a brow as stern and a glance as fierce as his own.

“And now, Anthony Hurdlestone, let me speak a few words to you, and mark them well.  Is it for a boy like you to prescribe rules for his father’s conduct?  Away from my presence!  I will not be insulted in my own house by a beardless boy, and assailed by such impertinent importunities.  Reflect, young man, on your present undutiful conduct, and, if ever you provoke me by a repetition of it, I will strike your name out of my will, and leave my property to strangers more deserving of it.  I hear that you have been studying for the Church, under the idea that I will provide for you in that profession; I could do it.  I would have done it, and made good a promise I once gave you to that effect.  But this meeting has determined me to pursue another plan, and leave you to provide for yourself.”

“You are welcome so to do, Mr. Hurdlestone,” said Anthony, proudly; “the education which I have received at your brother’s expense will place me above want.  Farewell! and may God judge between us!”

With a heavy heart, Anthony returned to ——.  He saw a crowd collected round the jail, and forcing his way to the entrance, was met by Godfrey; his face was deadly pale, and his lips quivered as he addressed his cousin.

“You are too late, Anthony—­’tis all over.  My poor father—.”

He turned away, for his heart, at that time, was not wholly dead to the feelings common to our nature.  He could not conclude the sentence.  Anthony instantly comprehended his meaning, and rushed past him into the room which had been appropriated to his uncle’s use.