“What then would you say if the land were your own? Would you say you had it solely for your own and your family’s good, or for that of the tenants as well?”
“I should very likely reason that what was good for them would in the long run be good for me too.—But if you want to know how I have treated the tenants, there are intelligent men amongst them, not at all prejudiced in favour of the factor!”
“I wish you would be open with me,” said Donal.
“I prefer keeping my own place,” rejoined Mr. Graeme.
“You speak as one who found a change in me,” returned Donal. “There is none.”
So saying he shook hands with him, bade him good morning, and turned with the depression of failure.
“I did not lead up to the point properly!” he said to himself.
CHAPTER LXXXIII.
INSIGHT.
Mr. Graeme was a good sort of man, and a gentleman; but he was not capable of meeting Donal on the ground on which he approached him: on that level he had never set foot. There is nothing more disappointing to the generous man than the way in which his absolute frankness is met by the man of the world—always looking out for motives, and imagining them after what is in himself.
There was great confidence between the brother and sister, and as he walked homeward, Mr. Graeme was not so well pleased with himself as to think with satisfaction on the report of the interview he could give Kate. He did not accuse himself with regard to anything he had said, but he felt his behaviour influenced by jealousy of the low-born youth who had supplanted him. For, if Percy could not succeed to the title, neither could he have succeeded to the property; and but for the will or the marriage, perhaps but for the two together, he would himself have come in for that also! The will was worth nothing except the marriage was disputed: annul the marriage, and the will was of force!