Shall an old man's repentance knock at the heart of his son
and find not charity there?"
"Repentance?" So this thought was not alone his?
"You will forgive him, Monsieur . . . my brother."
The Chevalier shook his head. "Not to-day nor to-morrow."
"You will not let him of your blood go down to the grave unforgiven;
not when he offered this blood to avenge an insult given to you. The
reparation he has made is the best he knows. Only forgive him and let
him die in peace. He is proud, but he is ill. To this hour he
believes that terrible struggle to be but a dream; but even the dream
brings him comfort. He is seventy; he is old. You take the first
step; come with me. Through all your life you will look back upon this
hour with happiness. Whatever the parent's fault may be, there is
always the duty of the child toward that parent. You will forgive him."
"But if I go to him without forgiveness in my heart; if only my lips
speak?"
"It is in your heart; you have only to look for it."
"Ah well, I will go with you. It is a cup of gall to drink, but I will
drink it. If he is dying . . . Well, I will play the part; but God is
witness that there is no charity in my heart, nor forgiveness, for he
has wilfully spoiled my life.
Pages:
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420