"
He laughed, that horrid fiendish laugh. Algernon shrunk back with strong
disgust, and relinquished the hand which no longer sought his grasp.
"Well, I see how it is. There are some natures that cannot amalgamate.
You cannot overcome the old hate; but say that you forgive me; it is all
I ask."
"If you can forgive yourself, Mark, I forgive you; and I pray that God
may do the same."
"That leaves the case doubtful; however, it is of no use forcing nature.
We never loved each other. The soil of the heart has been too much
corrupted by the leaven of the world, to nourish a new growth of
affection. We have lived enemies--we cannot part friends; but take this
in payment of the debt I owe you."
He drew from beneath his pillow a paper, which he placed in his
brother's hand. It was a draft upon his banker for ten thousand pounds,
payable at sight. "Will that satisfy you for all you lost by me?"
"Money cannot do that."
"You allude to my wife. I saved you from a curse by entailing it upon
myself; for which service I at least deserve your thanks."
"What has proved a curse to you would have been to me the greatest
earthly blessing. I freely forgive you for wronging me out of my share
of the inheritance, but for robbing me of Elinor, I cannot."
He turned from the bed with the tears in his eyes, and was about to quit
the room.
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