"Pity," he added, "that when old--old as I am now--he should have driven his own son mad by robbing him of his plighted bride; but so it was; he married his son's bride.

I saw him lead her to the altar; if ever there was an angelic countenance, it was that girl's; she was almost too fair to be one of the daughters of women.

Is there anything, boy, that you would wish to ask me?
now is the time." "Yes, father; there is one about whom I would fain question you." "Who is it; shall I tell you about Elliot ?" "No, father, not about Elliot; but pray don't be angry; I should like to know something about Big Ben." "You are a strange lad," said my father; "and, though of late I have begun to entertain a more favourable opinion than heretofore, there is still much about you that I do not understand.

Why do you bring up that name?
Don't you know that it is one of my temptations; you wish to know something about him.

Well, I will oblige you this once, and then farewell to such vanities--something about him.