"Yet there are motives that might, that must excuse it. Do you remember the character of Hamlet, Miss Falkner?"
"Perfectly--it is the imbodying of the most refined, the most genuine, and yet the most harrowing feelings and situation, that the imagination ever conceived."
"I have read that play," said Neville, "till each word seems instinct with a message direct to my heart--as if my own emotions gave a conscious soul to every line. Hamlet was called upon to avenge a father--in execution of his task he did not spare a dearer, a far more sacred name--if he used no daggers with his mother, he spoke them; nor winced, though she writhed beneath his hand. Mine is a lighter, yet a holier duty. I would vindicate a mother--without judging my father--without any accusation against him, I would establish her innocence. Is this blameable? What would you do, Miss Falkner, if your father were accused of a crime?"
"My father and a crime! Impossible!" exclaimed Elizabeth; for, strange to say, all the self-accusations of Falkner fell empty on her ear. It was a virtue in him to be conscience-stricken for an error; of any real guilt she would have pledged her life that he was free.
"Yes--impossible!" cried Neville--"doubtless it is so; but did you hear his name stigmatized--shame attend your very kindred to him--what would you do?--defend him--prove his innocence--would you not?"
"A life were well sacrificed to such a duty."
"And to that very duty mine is devoted. In childhood I rebelled against the accusation with vain, but earnest indignation; now I am calmer because I am more resolved; but I will yield to no impediment--be stopped by no difficulty--not even by my father's blind commands. My mother! dear name--dearer for the ills attached to it--my angel mother shall find an unfaltering champion in her son.
"You must not be angry," he continued, in reply to her look of wonder, "that I mention circumstances which it is customary to slur over and conceal. It is shame for me to speak--for you to hear--my mother's name. That very thought gives a keener edge to my purpose. God knows what miserable truth is hidden by the veils which vanity, revenge, and selfishness have drawn around my mother's fate; but that truth--though it be a bleeding one--shall be disclosed, and her innocence be made as clear as the sun now shining above us.