If he thought that I had made a fortune, there was so much the more reason for him to try his luck.

This was the last letter I ever wrote to him.

It was unanswered; but about a year and a half afterwards there came a few lines to his mother, telling her of the birth of a daughter, which was to be called Marian, after her.

This last letter came from Brussels." "And did you hear no more of your son after this ?" Gilbert asked.
"Nothing.

I think his mother used to get letters from him in secret for some time; that these failed suddenly at last; and that anxiety about her worthless son--anxiety which she tried to hide from me--shortened her life.