“He would not have taken it from me.”
“You could have co-operated with his mother, and done it in her name.”
“I could not enter the house after being insulted.”
“You could have written. From what I have heard of Brandon, he was just the man who would have blessed any one who would interpose to save his son.”
“His son did not wish to be saved. He has all his father’s inflexibility, but an intellect as clear as that of the most practical man. He has a will of iron, dauntless resolution, and an implacable temper. At the same time he has the open generosity and the tender heart of his father.”
“Had his father a tender heart?”
“So tender and affectionate that this sacrifice of his son must have overwhelmed him with the deepest sorrow.”
“Did you ever after make any advances to any of them?”
“No, never. I never went near the house.”
“Did you ever visit any of the county gentry to see if something could be done?”