A KEGULAE NOPtTH-WESTEE. 11 



" Infatuation, Frederic," said his father, "beyond all 

 prudence or common sense ; and for which I consider 

 something like thirty thousand pounds, foolishly given 

 or paid for you, has been a tolerably heavy penalty, 

 independent of a thousand a year as an allowance, 

 when your own income ought to have been quite 

 sufficient for you." 



"Now really, my dear Sir," cried Fred., "I am 

 thankful for aU your kindness ; but as to the thousand 

 a year, you must know that to a man moving in the 

 circle I do, a thousand a year would little more than 

 pay for cigars. Pate de Guimauve, and bonbons ; -Nvdll 

 you try a few, father," said Fred., pushing towards 

 him a splendid enamelled Bonbonniere. 



" If any thing was wanting, Sir," said his father, " to 

 complete my disgust, this one last act has been quite 

 sufficient to effect that purpose. I came prepared to 

 tell you that, finding a thousand a year in addition to 

 your income fell short of meeting your expenditure, I 

 ifelt that my duty to the rest of my family would com- 

 pel me to diminish it one half; your conduct to-day 

 has fixed a farther determination : from this hour your 

 allowance wholly ceases, and we are strangers; if a total 

 alteration of your conduct shows me I have a son, I 

 shall be but too happy to acknowledge myself a father." 



The quivering lip of the parent as he spoke, and 

 the hurried step as he left the room, would have told 

 the most casual observer what was passing in his 

 bosom. Fred, knew his father too well to attempt to 

 delay his departure ; he silently followed him, till, 

 fearing the observation of the servants in the hall, he 

 stopped, merely saying, in a softened tone, " God bless 

 you, Sir." The heart of the father was too full to 

 allow him to utter the reciprocal wish ; and, with a 



