He continued to cherish a secret anger against the lady, and his resentment included her son, then a young collegian.
When Cecil came home and opened his modest law-office in the village, he secretly did everything he could against the progress of the struggling young attorney, and delighted in all his misfortunes.
Now that Cecil had become a suitor for Violet’s hand, the old judge saw in it an opportunity to wreak vengeance on the son’s heart for all the pangs his mother had inflicted on his, and he was not slow to avail himself of the occasion.
No pity for the young hearts thus cruelly severed moved him from his stern resolve to force Violet, by fair or foul means, into a speedy marriage with Harold Castello.
When Mrs. Grant learned of the old judge’s refusal to sanction Cecil’s engagement to Violet, she was very indignant, and desired her son to break off the affair at once.
“I cannot bear to have my son called a fortune-hunter,” she cried, proudly, for some gossip had made her acquainted with the old judge’s insinuations.
Cecil flushed deeply as he answered:
“No one can call me so, mother, for Violet Mead is as poor as I am.”
“Yes, but it is expected that she and her cousin Amber will divide their grandfather’s fortune between them at his death.”
“That is, if they marry to please him, of course; otherwise he will disinherit them. So sweet Violet’s fate is already sealed, for she has promised to be my bride as soon as I am a little better off.”