That
which seemed worthy of praise was forgotten, his errors were
magnified; and the seducer made himself secure by crushing his
victim, compromising the respectability of his parents, making the
disgrace a forfeiture for life.
Unexpected as the shock was to Marston, he bore it with seeming
coolness, as if dreading the appearance of the man who had taken
advantage of the moment to bring him under obligations, more than he
did the amount to be discharged. Arising from the table, he took
Lorenzo by the hand, saying:--"Veil your trouble, Lorenzo! Let the
past be forgotten, bury the stigma in your own bosom; let it be an
example to your feelings and your actions. Go not upon the world to
wrestle with its ingratitude; if you do, misfortune will befall
you-you will stumble through it the remainder of your life. With me,
I fear the very presence of the man who has found means of
engrafting his avarice upon our misfortunes; he deals with those in
his grasp like one who would cut the flesh and blood of mankind into
fragments of gain. Be firm, Lorenzo; be firm! Remember, it is not
the province of youth to despair; be manly-manliness even in crime
lends its virtue to the falling." At which he bid him good night,
and retired to rest.
The young man, more pained at his uncle's kindness,--kindness
stronger in its effects than reproof,--still lingered, as if to watch
some change of expression on his uncle's countenance, as he left the
door. His face changed into pallid gloominess, and again, as if by
magic influence, filled with the impress of passion; it was despair
holding conflict with a bending spirit.
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