liam Penn had just arrived, and
craved permission to see his father. Grief was depicted on the
countenance of the young man when he entered his father's chamber. He
had just had an interview with his mother, and she had told him that all
hopes of the admiral's recovery had been abandoned by his medical
attendants. He knew not how his father might receive him. Although,
when they last parted, the admiral's feelings had been somewhat softened
towards his son, yet he had not even then ceased to blame him for the
course he had pursued. Sir William Penn had already received numerous
rewards and honours for the services he had rendered to his sovereign,
and he had every reason to believe that he would have been raised to the
peerage. His son William had, however, refused to accept any title, and
he had therefore declined the honour for himself. He was now, however,
at the early age of forty-nine, struck by a mortal disease, and he had
begun to estimate more truly than heretofore the real value of wealth
and worldly honours.

When William entered, he put out his hand.

"I thank Heaven, son William, you have come back to see me ere I quit
this troubled scene of life," said the dying admiral. "I once wished to
know that my son was to become a peer of the realm, the founder of a
great family; but such thoughts have passed away from me. I now
confess, William, that you have `chosen the better part.' Your honour
and glory no man can take away from you. In truth, I am weary of this
world, and, had I my choice, would not live my days over again, for the
snares of life are greater than the fears of death."

The affectionate son expressed his joy at hearing his father speak thus.
The admiral smiled.

"Yes," he said, "our thoughts change when we see the portals of death so
close to us. With regard to you, William, I am satisfied; but for our
unhappy country I cannot cease to mourn. Alas! what fearful profligacy
do we see in high places: vice and immorality rampant among all classes;
the disrepute into which the monarchy and all connected with it have
justly fallen; and the discredit into which our national character has
been brought abroad."

William almost wept tears of joy when he described his father's state of
mind to his mother. They could now converse freely on important
matters. One day, while his son was with the admiral, two letters were
brought him.

"Here," he said, "read them, son William, for my eyes a