“A near relative,” corrected Stephen Ray.
“Well, a near relative, but less near than an only son. Does it seem right that Dudley should have been disinherited and you put in his place?”
“Certainly. My cousin disobeyed his father.”
“So he was left in poverty.”
“I don’t see how that concerns you, Benjamin Bolton. My uncle had the right to dispose of his property as he pleased.”
“Probably Dudley Ray is living in poverty now.”
“You are mistaken. He is dead.”
“Indeed! Poor fellow! He was a generous and high-minded man.”
“Whatever he may have been, he offended his father, and suffered the consequences.”
“Too true!”