But you are so good and noble that I know you would not dwell upon such an idea, and I hope that you do not so misjudge me as to think me capable of such culpable neglect, now that you are getting a little better acquainted with me.

As you must know, your mother, Cornelia, was excessively proud and high-spirited.

She resented every affront, whether intended as such or not, with extraordinary violence, and when I was obliged, in spite of my most heartfelt wishes, to separate myself from her, and reluctantly submit to a marriage that I could not avoid, she obstinately refused to allow me to provide for her maintenance in comfort and luxury, as well as for you and your education.

All that I gave her, and settled on her, she sent back to me with the most exaggerated disdain, and inexorably refused to receive again.

I could not but admire, though I so deplored, her lofty spirit, and proud rejection of every benefit which I desired to confer upon her, and I left in the hands of a trusty agent, for her, the deeds of all the landed property and houses I had destined for her, as well as the money and jewels--so that she could at any time reclaim them, if she would--hoping that she might see fit to change her mind when the first flush of anger was over.