shall see. But it isn't wishing that
will do it. The clearest head--the best exertions must sometimes give in
to circumstances; but then, my boy, there is one comfort, those who come
after us can repair our faults, and profit by our experience. That thought
gives us courage, and makes us go forward. Don't forget, Mike, I say, what
I have done for you, when you are a rich and titled man!"

"I hope, father, I shall never forget my duty."

"I am sure you won't, Mike--and there's an end of it. Let us speak of
something else. Now, when you are married, boy, I shall often come to see
you. You'll be glad to have me, sha'n't you?"

"Is it necessary to ask the question?"

"No, it isn't, but I am happy to-night, and I am in a humour to talk and
dream. You must let me have my own room--and call it Abraham's _sanctum_.
A good name, eh? I will come when I like, and go when I like--eat, drink,
and be merry, Mike. How white with envy Old Varley will get, when he sees
me driving to business in my boy's carriage. A pretty match he made of
it--that son of his married the cook, and sent her to a boarding-school.
Stupid fool!"

"Young Varley is a worthy fellow, father."

"Can't be--can't be--worthy fellows don't marry cooks. But don't stop me
in my plans. I said you should give me my own room, Mike--and so you
shall--and every Wednesday shall be a holiday. We'll be in the country
together, and shoot and fish, and hunt, and do what every body else does.
We'll be great men, Mike, and we'll enjoy ourselves."

And so the man went on, elevated by the circumstances of the day, and by
the prospects of the future, until he became intoxicated with his pleasure.
On the following morning he rose just as elated, and went to business like
a boy to play. About noon, he was talking to a farmer in his quiet back
room, endeavouring to drive a hard bargain with the man, whom a bad season
had already rendered poor. He spoke loud and fast--until, suddenly, a
spasm at the heart caught and stopped him. His eyes bolted from their
sockets--the parchment skin of his face grew livid and blue. He staggered
for an instant, and then dropped dead at the farmer's foot. The doctors
were not wrong when they pronounced the banker's heart diseased. A week
after this sudden and awful visitation, all that remained of Abraham
Allcraft was committed to the dust, and Michael discovered, to his
surprise and horror, that his father had died an insolvent and a beggar.