The Romance of a Poor Young Man

I remember, it was some time previous to that, that I heard his name mentioned in connection with some unfortunate speculations in the stocks. Man.; I arrived at night. The ground was white with snow. As I passed up the avenue; made still darker b ... Read more

I remember, it was some time previous to that, that I heard his name mentioned in connection with some unfortunate speculations in the stocks. Man.; I arrived at night. The ground was white with snow. As I passed up the avenue; made still darker by the old trees which overshadowed it I could hear the frost shaken from the branches, seeming, as it fell around me, like a warning of bitter tears to come. Hardly had I crossed the threshold when my father's arms were around me. I could feel his heart beating against my own, with a force almost painful. He led me to a sofa, and placed himself directly; in front of me, when, as if longing to reveal something which yet he dared not name, he fixed his eyes on mine with an expression of supplication, of agony, of shame, wondrous in a man so haughty and so proud. It was enough! The wrong he had committed, yet could not confess, I divined full well; God knows how fully, how freely I forgave it! Suddenly, that look, which never quitted me, became fixed, rigid. The pressure of his hand on mine became a grip of iron. He arose; the eyes wandered, the hand relaxed, and he fell dead at my feet! Less