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A DRAMATIC CRITIC
ter, both of whom had been saved from
want by a kind and honorable physician,
and learns that his daughter, now almost
grown to womanhood, has received the
name of her protector, and been brought
up in the belief that the physician is her
father. Though strongly drawn by natu-
ral instinct to make himself known to the
girl, Conrad is persuaded, through a desire
for his child's happiness and peace of mind,
to conceal his relation to her; the supreme
effort required for this sacrifice completes
the work of his many sufferings and pri-
vations, and in it he dies. The character
of Conrad is built upon a large plan. He
is naturally a man of violent passions,
capable of furious jealousy, easily wrought
to suspicion, and by years of solitude and
misery has been made sullen and morose.
Yet the spirit within him is really great,
and, possessed by the passion of paternal
love, rises to such deeds and self-denials
as might be sung by choirs of angels.
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