Nora having left the lawyer, soon returned with the information, that the Earl was ready to receive him.
Mr Finlayson found the Earl sitting in an armchair, propped up with pillows, gazing out on the ocean, on whose blue and slightly ruffled waves the sunbeams were playing brilliantly. The Earl smiled as his old friend entered, and held out his hand warmly to him.
“Sit down, Finlayson; you have come at a sad moment. I feel a strange weakness creeping over me, and I am glad that you have not longer put off your visit. Yes, I believe the moment is approaching for which we all should be prepared, when I must leave this world. I wish I could look back to all I have done during my life with satisfaction; but I cannot say that I can do that. I have been hospitable and generous, I own, according to the notion of people; but alas! Finlayson, for the peasantry under my charge, for the multitudes of my poorer neighbours, how little have I done? I might have set them a better example; I might have obtained some education for them; and, perhaps, by going among them, restrained them from committing the excesses into which, from time to time, they have plunged.”
“Very true,” answered the lawyer; “I believe there are very few people who have not to say something like that, when they are about to leave the world; but we must not think of what we have done or left undone ourselves. You believe in the simple Gospel; I am sure you do, or you would have listened to Mr Jamieson’s preaching, as I have often seen you doing—in vain. We will speak of that by-and-by. I rather hope that you think worse of your case than you should do. I do not hear that the doctor is of the same opinion as you are, and so, my dear lord, there are certain points with regard to your property which I, as your legal adviser, would wish, in the first place, to discuss.”
Mr Finlayson then entered into particulars, which it is not here necessary to introduce.
The Earl seemed much relieved on hearing that his property was less encumbered than he had supposed.
“But there is another point, my lord, on which I shall wish particularly to consult you.”
“Well, the sooner we speak on anything of importance the better, Finlayson. We know not what another day may bring forth,” observed the Earl.
He already spoke with some difficulty.
“Well, my lord, at all events I should like to know your wishes on the subject,” said the lawyer. “Your lordship knows that your father had an elder brother.”