\"If——if\'tisso，dearlady，\"Mr。Esmondsaid，\"whyshouldIeverleaveyou？IfGodhathgivenmethisgreatboon——andnearorfarfromme，asIknownow，theheartofmydearestmistressfollowsme，letmehavethatblessingnearme，noreverpartwithittilldeathseparateus。Comeaway——leavethisEurope，thisplacewhichhassomanysadrecollectionsforyou。Beginanewlifeinanewworld。MygoodlordoftentalkedofvisitingthatlandinVirginiawhichKingCharlesgaveus——gavehisancestor。Frankwillgiveusthat。Nomantherewillaskifthereisablotonmyname，orinquireinthewoodswhatmytitleis。\"
\"Andmychildren——andmyduty——andmygoodfather，Henry？\"shebrokeout。\"Hehasnonebutmenow！forsoonmysisterwillleavehim，andtheoldmanwillbealone。HehasconformedsincethenewQueen\'sreign;andhereinWinchester，wheretheylovehim，theyhavefoundachurchforhim。Whenthechildrenleaveme，Iwillstaywithhim。Icannotfollowthemintothegreatworld，wheretheirwaylies——itscaresme。Theywillcomeandvisitme;andyouwill，sometimes，Henry——yes，sometimes，asnow，intheHolyAdventseason，whenIhaveseenandblessedyouoncemore。\"
\"Iwouldleavealltofollowyou，\"saidMr。Esmond;\"andcanyounotbeasgenerousforme，dearlady？\"
\"Hush，boy！\"shesaid，anditwaswithamother\'ssweetplaintivetoneandlookthatshespoke。\"Theworldisbeginningforyou。
Forme，IhavebeensoweakandsinfulthatImustleaveit，andprayoutanexpiation，dearHenry。Hadwehousesofreligionastherewereonce，andmanydivinesofourChurchwouldhavethemagain，IoftenthinkIwouldretiretooneandpassmylifeinpenance。ButIwouldloveyoustill——yes，thereisnosininsuchaloveasminenow;andmydearlordinheavenmayseemyheart;