Sumner Dalton hated him. He hated him for what he had so dishonorably learned regarding him—who and what he was—and for the relationship which he bore to that face which he had seen in his mysterious package.
He hated him for the interest which Editha manifested in him, and also because Richard Forrester had desired him to have a portion of his vast fortune, and the former had dared to oppose and defy him regarding the matter.
He could never brook opposition from any one, and he had always possessed a strange desire to be revenged upon anybody who stood in his way in any form whatever.
It would not do for him to revenge himself directly upon Editha, for she, with all her money, was altogether too important a personage to him; but he knew he could do so indirectly through Earle, and so set himself to work to crush him.
Thus, through his efforts, many a client, who would have gladly availed themselves of the brilliant young lawyer’s services, were influenced to go elsewhere, and their fees, which would have been such a help to Earle in these first dark days went to enrich the already overflowing coffers of some more noted and “respectable” practitioner of Blackstone.
But, for all this, he won for himself some practice, in which he proved himself very successful, and not unfrequently gained the admiration of judge, jury, and spectators by his intelligence, shrewdness, and eloquence.
But a covert sneer always followed every effort.
Brother lawyers shrugged their shoulders and remarked, “what a pity it was that so much talent was not better appreciated, and that the taint upon his name must always mar his life,” it was a “pity, too, that so fine a young man otherwise, to all outward appearance, could not make a better living; but then people were apt to be shy of employing ‘prison-birds,’ the old proverb ‘set a thief to catch a thief’ to the contrary notwithstanding.”
It was Sumner Dalton who had set this ball a-rolling, and had kept it in motion until the day came when Earle was obliged to sit from morning till night in his office, and no one came to him for advice or counsel.
He remembered what Editha had told him to do if he had need—go to Mr. Felton and get enough for his wants; but he was too proud to do this—he would be dependent upon no one but himself.