dict extorted from pity, damages
awarded to repair a broken heart and a sullied name--to carry this
disgrace before one's equals, to be again discussed, sifted, and
cavilled at! No, Upton; this poor shattered brain would give way under
such a trial; to compass it in mere fancy is already nigh to madness! It
must be by other means than these that I attain my object!"

The terrible energy with which he spoke actually frightened Upton, who
fancied that his reason had already begun to show signs of decline.

"The world has decreed," resumed Glencore, "that in these conflicts all
the shame shall be the husband's; but it shall not be so here! _She_
shall have her share, ay, and, by Heaven, not the smaller share
either!"

"Why, what would you do?" asked Upton, eagerly.

"Deny my marriage; call her my mistress!" cried Glencore, in a voice
shaken with passion and excitement.

"But your boy,--your son, Glencore!"

"He shall be a bastard! You may hold up your hands in horror, and look
with all your best got-up disgust at such a scheme; but if you wish
to see me swear to accomplish it, I'll do so now before you, ay, on
my knees before you! When we eloped from her father's house at
Castellamare, we were married by a priest at Capri; of the marriage
no trace exists. The more legal ceremony was performed before you, as
Charge d'Affaires at Naples,--of that I have the registry here; nor,
except my courier, Sanson, is there a living witness. If you determine
to assert it, you will do so without a fragment of proof, since every
document that could substantiate it is in my keeping. You shall see them
for yourself. She is, therefore, in my power; and will any man dare to
tell me how I should temper that power?"

"But your boy, Glencore, your boy!"

"Is my boy's station in the world a prouder one by being the son of the
notorious Lady Glencore, or as the offspring of a nameless mistress?
What avail to him that he should have a title stained by _her_ shame?
Where is he to go? In what land is he to live, where her infamy has not
reached? Is it not a thousand times better that he enter life ignoble
and unknown,--to start in the world's race with what he may of strength
and power,--than drag on an unhonored existence, shunned by his equals,
and only welcome where it is disgrace to find companionship?"

"But you surely have never contemplated all the consequences of this
rash resolve. It is the extinction of an ancient title, the alien