“If only it might last a while!” returned the earl. “But of course you have the church in your eye!”
“My lord, I have not.”
“What!” cried his lordship almost eagerly; “you intend giving your life to teaching?”
“My lord,” returned Donal, “I never trouble myself about my life. Why should we burden the mule of the present with the camel-load of the future? I take what comes—what is sent me, that is.”
“You are right, Mr. Grant! If I were in your position, I should think just as you do. But, alas, I have never had any choice!”
“Perhaps your lordship has not chosen to choose!” Donal was on the point of saying, but bethought himself in time not to hazard the remark.
“If I were a rich man, Mr. Grant,” the earl continued, “I would secure your services for a time indefinite; but, as every one knows, not an acre of the property belongs to me, or goes with the title. Davie, dear boy, will have nothing but a thousand or two. The marriage I have in view for lord Forgue will arrange a future for him.”
“I hope there will be some love in the marriage!” said Donal uneasily, with a vague thought of Eppy.
“I had no intention,” returned his lordship with cold politeness, “of troubling you concerning lord Forgue!”
“I beg your pardon, my lord,” said Donal.