Donal wrote to Percy that his father was dead. Two days after, he appeared. The new earl met him in the hall.
“Mr. Graeme,” said Percy,—
“I am lord Morven, Mr. Graeme,” returned his lordship.
The fellow said an evil word, turned on his heel, and left them to bury his father without him.
The funeral over, the earl turned to Donal and looked him in the face: they walked back to the castle arm in arm, and from that moment were as brothers.
Earl Hector did nothing of importance without consulting Donal, and Donal had the more influence both with landlord and tenants that he had no interest in the property.
The same week he left the castle, and took possession of Morven House. The people said Mr. Grant had played his cards well: had they known what he had really done, they would have called him a born idiot.
Davie, to whom no calamity could be overwhelming so long as he had Mr. Grant, accompanied him gladly, more than content to live with him till he went to college, whither the earl wished to send him. Donal hindered rather than sped the day. When it came, the earl would have had him go too, but Donal would not.
“I have done what I can,” he said. “It is time he should walk alone.”
It was soon evident that the boy would not disgrace him. There is no certainty as to how deep any teaching may have gone—as to whether it has reached the issues of life or not, until a youth is left by himself, and has to choose and refuse companions: the most promising youths are often but promisers.