He can have left no lawful issue." "I must say, young gentleman," added Sir Reginald, gravely, "that such has always been the history of his fate.

I have had too near an interest in this family, to neglect its annals." "I know, sir, that such has been the opinion here for more than half a century; but it was founded in error.

The facts are simply these.

My grandfather, a warm-hearted but impetuous young man, struck an older lieutenant, when ashore and on duty, in one of the West India Islands.
The penalty was death; but, neither the party injured nor the commander of the vessel, wished to push matters to extremity, and the offender was advised to absent himself from the ship, at the moment of sailing.

The injured party was induced to take this course, as in a previous quarrel, my grandfather had received his fire, without returning it; frankly admitting his fault.