"Your mother never would forgive my presumption if she thought,--if she knew." "My mother loves you; but even if she did not, I am free to act, free to choose, as every man should be.

I love and _revere_ my mother, but there is a passion stronger than filial love and reverence, which goes on conquering and to conquer.

She will not, she cannot oppose me." "But Edith, dear Edith, who loves you so devotedly! She will hate me if I dare to supplant her." "A sister never can be supplanted,--and least of all such a sister as Edith, Gabriella.

If you do not feel that love so expands, so enlarges the heart, that it makes room for all the angels in heaven, you could not share my island home." "If you knew all,--if I could tell you all," I cried,--and again I felt the barbed anguish that prostrated me at the grave,--"and you _shall_ know,--your generous love demands this confidence.

When your mother has read the history of my parentage, I will place it in your hands; though my mother's character is as exalted and spotless as your own, there is a cloud over my name that will for ever rest upon it.