ssed, and told her (what I
really felt), that I was indebted to her for not being the son of a
private marine; that, at all events, I had noble blood in my veins, and
would prove myself worthy of my descent, whether it were acknowledged or
not; but from that hour I took the command over her--from that hour it
was I that dictated, and her authority as a parent was gone for ever.
Let it not be imagined that I treated her harshly; on the contrary, I
was more kind, and, before other people, more dutiful than ever I was
before. She was my only confidant, and to her only did I explain the
reasons of my actions: she was my adviser, but her advice was not that
of a parent, but that of an humble, devoted, and attached friend; and
during the remainder of her days this position was never altered.

As soon as my mother had acknowledged the fact there was no longer any
reservation on my part. I told her what was the conduct of Captain
Delmar towards me. I pointed out his checking any display of paternal
feelings towards me, and also the certainty that I had that he was
partial to and proud of me. I explained to her the line of conduct
which I had pursued, and was determined still to pursue, towards him.

"Percival," said my mother, "I see the judiciousness of what you say and
of your behaviour towards him; but allow me to ask you: What is the
object you are aiming at--I mean particularly aiming at? Of course you
hope to obtain advancement from his interest, and perhaps, if he becomes
more attached to you, he may not forget you when he dies; but it appears
to me that you have something nearer to your heart than all this--tell
me, am I right?"

"You are, my dear mother; my great end is, that Captain Delmar should
acknowledge me as his son."

"I fear that he will never do that, Percival; nor, indeed, do I think
you would gain by it. When you are more advanced in the world, your
parentage may be considered as obscure, but still, being born in
wedlock, it will be more respectable than the acknowledgment you would
seek from Captain Delmar. You are not aware of the affronts you may
meet with by obtaining what you evidently wish; and once known as the
son of Captain Delmar, you may wish that it was never promulgated."

"I was born in wedlock, mother, as you say, and as many others are, who
now are peers of the realm, and in virtue of their being born in
wedlock, succeed to property to which they would otherwise not be
entitled.