"You fear to acknowledge that your correspondent his deceived you? Oh, no self-love, Beauchamp.Acknowledge it, Beauchamp; your courage cannot be doubted.""Not so," murmured the journalist; "on the contrary" --Albert turned frightfully pale; he endeavored to speak, but the words died on his lips."My friend," said Beauchamp, in the most affectionate tone, "I should gladly make an apology; but, alas," --"But what?"
"The paragraph was correct, my friend."
"What? That French officer" --
"Yes."
"Fernand?"
"Yes."
"The traitor who surrendered the castle of the man in whose service he was" --"Pardon me, my friend, that man was your father!" Albert advanced furiously towards Beauchamp, but the latter restrained him more by a mild look than by his extended hand.
"My friend," said he, "here is a proof of it."Albert opened the paper, it was an attestation of four notable inhabitants of Yanina, proving that Colonel Fernand Mondego, in the service of Ali Tepelini, had surrendered the castle for two million crowns.The signatures were perfectly legal.Albert tottered and fell overpowered in a chair.It could no longer be doubted; the family name was fully given.
After a moment's mournful silence, his heart overflowed, and he gave way to a flood of tears.Beauchamp, who had watched with sincere pity the young man's paroxy** of grief, approached him."Now, Albert," said he, "you understand me -- do you not? I wished to see all, and to judge of everything for myself, hoping the explanation would be in your father's favor, and that I might do him justice.But, on the contrary, the particulars which are given prove that Fernand Mondego, raised by Ali Pasha to the rank of governor-general, is no other than Count Fernand of Morcerf;then, recollecting the honor you had done me, in admitting me to your friendship, I hastened to you."Albert, still extended on the chair, covered his face with both hands, as if to prevent the light from reaching him."Ihastened to you," continued Beauchamp, "to tell you, Albert, that in this changing age, the faults of a father cannot revert upon his children.Few have passed through this revolutionary period, in the midst of which we were born, without some stain of infamy or blood to soil the uniform of the soldier, or the gown of the magistrate.Now I have these proofs, Albert, and I am in your confidence, no human power can force me to a duel which your own conscience would reproach you with as criminal, but I come to offer you what you can no longer demand of me.Do you wish these proofs, these attestations, which I alone possess, to be destroyed?
Do you wish this frightful secret to remain with us?
Confided to me, it shall never escape my lips; say, Albert, my friend, do you wish it?"Albert threw himself on Beauchamp's neck."Ah, noble fellow!" cried he.
"Take these," said Beauchamp, presenting the papers to Albert.