“What do you mean?” he demanded.
“Precisely what I say,” retorted Nicholas. “I have made you my heir, and I have no intention of revoking that decision. You agreed to work for me for a year. You can break your contract if you choose. I shall not break mine.”
“I can refuse the inheritance,” said Antony.
Nicholas laughed. “If you choose to shirk responsibility and see the tenants remain the victims of Curtis’s tenderness, you can do so. You have had experience of his ideas of fair play, and let me tell you that your experience has been of a remarkably mild order.”
“You can choose another agent,” said Antony shortly.
“I can,” said Nicholas, with emphasis on the first word. “But I fancy William Gateley will find a twin to Curtis on my demise if you refuse the inheritance.”
Once more Antony hesitated.
“Find another heir, then,” he announced after a moment.
Nicholas shook his head. “You hardly encourage me to do so. My present failure appears so palpable, I am not very likely to make a second attempt in that direction.”
Again there was a silence. Antony moved further back into the room.