
softened, he continued -
    »You would be my son, Duncan, and you're ignorant of the history of the man
you wish to call your father. Sit ye down, young man, and I will open to you the
wounds of a seared heart, in as few words as may be suitable.«
    By this time, the message of Montcalm was as much forgotten by him who bore
it, as by the man for whose ears it was intended. Each drew a chair, and while
the veteran communed a few moments with his own thoughts, apparently in sadness,
the youth suppressed his impatience in a look and attitude of respectful
attention. At length, the former spoke -
    »You'll know, already, Major Heyward, that my family was both ancient and
honourable,« commenced the Scotsman, »though it might not altogether be endowed
with that amount of wealth, that should correspond with its degree. I was, may
be, such an one as yourself, when I plighted my faith to Alice Graham; the only
child of a neighbouring laird of some estate. But the connexion was disagreeable
to her father, on more accounts than my poverty. I did, therefore, what an
honest man should; restored the maiden her troth, and departed the country, in
the service of my king. I had seen many regions, and had shed much blood in
different lands, before duty called me to the islands of the West Indies. There
it was my lot to form a connexion with one who in time became my wife, and the
mother of Cora. She was the daughter of a gentleman of those isles, by a lady,
whose misfortune it was, if you will,« said the old man, proudly, »to be
descended, remotely, from that unfortunate class, who are so basely enslaved to
administer to the wants of a luxurious people! Ay, sir, that is a curse entailed
on Scotland, by her unnatural union with a foreign and trading people. But could
I find a man among them, who would dare to reflect on my child, he should feel
the weight of a father's anger! Ha! Major Heyward, you are yourself born at the
south, where these unfortunate beings are considered of a race inferior to your
own!«
    »'Tis most unfortunately true, sir,« said Duncan, unable any longer to
prevent his eyes from sinking to the floor in embarrassment.
    »And you cast it on my child as a reproach! You scorn to mingle the blood of
the Heywards, with one
