The bitter expression vanished from Oswald's face, and he answered in a gentler voice:
'You are capable of it, I believe. But no more of this, Edmund. It really signifies little where I spend the few months of my sojourn here. The rooms in the tower are very quiet, and admirably suited for study. I would far rather be there than here, in this castle of yours.'
'"This castle of yours,"' repeated Edmund, in a tone of pique. 'As though it had not always been as much your home as mine! But I believe you are seeking to estrange yourself from us. Oswald, I must say, if things are not always pleasant between my mother and you, a great share of the blame rests on your shoulders. You have never shown any affection for her, or any ready compliance with her wishes. Cannot you bring yourself to it, if you try?'
'I cannot comply where blind subjection is demanded of me, and where the whole future fortune of my life is at stake--no!'
'Well, then, we may expect another family quarrel at no very distant date,' said Edmund, evidently ill-pleased at the prospect. 'So you will not have any alteration made in the rooms?'
'No.'
'As you like. Goodbye.'
He walked off towards the door, but had not reached it when Oswald came quickly forth from the window-recess where he had been standing, and followed him.
'Edmund!'
'Well?' returned the other interrogatively, and halted.