"I will explain. You have heard, dear Marian, that after my father's
death my mother married a second time?"
"No--I never heard of it."
"She did, however--her second husband was a Scotchman. She lived with
him seven years, and then died, leaving him one child, a boy six years
of age. After my mother's death, my stepfather returned to Scotland,
taking with him my half-brother, and leaving me with my grandfather. And
all communication gradually ceased between us. Within this week,
however, I have received letters from Edinburgh, informing me of the
death of my stepfather, and the perfect destitution of my half-brother,
now a lad of twelve years of age. He is at present staying with the
clergyman who attended his father in his last illness, and who has
written me the letters giving me the information that I now give you.
Thus, you see, my dearest love, how urgent the duty is that takes me
from your side. Yet--What! tears, my Marian! Ah, if so! let my dearest
one but say the word, and I will not leave her. I will send money over
to the lad instead."
"No, no! Ah! no, never trust your mother's orphan boy to strangers, or
to his own guidance. Go for the poor, desolate lad, and never leave him,
or suffer him to leave you.
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