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I love her as a brother; and what brother but yearns to conceal his erring sister's frailty? The faithful historian, however, is denied the privileges of fiction. He may not, if he would, divert the natural course of things; he cannot, though he pines to do it, expunge the written acts of Providence Let us go or in charity. Michael Allcraft, in obedience to his father's wish, came home.
It is due to the latter to state, that, at the latest moment, he was willing, as far as in him lay, to settle the difference without proceeding to extreme measures. All that a man could offer, who did not wish to be suspected of rank cowardice, he offered without reservation. But Allcraft was inexorable. Happy the low-born man who may not have or feel such exquisite and noble SATISFACTION!
Planner, very subdued, very pale, and therefore very unlike himself, stands behind the chair of Allcraft; and ever and anon he casts a rueful glance over the shoulder of his friend, upon the papers which his friend is busy with. No one speaks.
"Well, but surely, Mr Allcraft, you must regret the strong expression" "Which I uttered to your friend? By no means. I told him that he lied. I repeat the word to you. I would say it in his teeth again if he stood here. What more is necessary?" "Nothing," said the gentleman, certainly unprepared for Michael's resolution. "Nothing; name your friend, sir."
"You must be very dull here," exclaimed the wily Abraham, gazing round him with the internal consciousness that the death of every soul he knew would not make him dull in such a paradise "very dull, I am sure!" "It was a cheerful home while he lived, sir," answered Margaret, most ruefully. "Ah yes," sighed Abraham; "but now, too true too true." "I was thinking, Mr Allcraft"
There is nothing like a plaintive retort when your case is utterly indefensible. Planner looked at the letter, read it then turned his eyes mildly and reproachfully upon his accuser. "Michael Allcraft," he said affectingly, "you treat me cruelly." "I!" answered the other astounded. "I treat you! Planner, I intrusted you years ago with a secret. I paid you well for keeping it.
Ashamed to be beaten, afraid to meet the just rebuke of Allcraft, he flung himself recklessly into the hands of a small band of needy speculators, and secretly engaged in schemes that promised restitution of the wealth he had expended, or make his ruin perfect and complete.
"Had you not better leave the bank, Mr Allcraft, and go home? Your hands are burning hot. You are in a high fever." "Put up the shutters put up the shutters," muttered Michael, more to himself than to his clerk. "Write bankrupt on the door write it in large letters in staring capitals that the children may read the word, and know why they are taught to curse me. You hear me, Burrage?"
"I ask no promise from you," continued the excited and suspicious man, writhing under a sense of his helplessness. "You have betrayed the cloven foot. I thank you for it. I am aware of what is to follow I expect it I shall hold myself prepared!" "Do nothing of the kind, Allcraft. You know me better. You are safe with me. I am ashamed of myself for what I have spoken. Forgive me"
There are others, on the other hand, who, having no fair claim at all to it, are warmed and nourished throughout life by the good opinion of mankind. No man lived with fewer virtues than Abraham Allcraft; no man was reputed richer in all the virtues that adorn humanity. He was an honest man, because he starved upon a crust. He was industrious, because from morn till night he laboured at the bank.
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