"You greatly gratify me, Mr. Grant," said the earl. "I have long
wished such a man as you for Davie. If only I had known you when
Forgue was preparing for college!"
"I must have been at that time only at college myself, my lord!"
"True! true!"
"But for Davie, it is a privilege to teach him!"
"If only it might last a while!" returned the earl. "But of course
you have the church in your eye!"
"My lord, I have not."
"What!" cried his lordship almost eagerly; "you intend giving your
life to teaching?"
"My lord," returned Donal, "I never trouble myself about my life.
Why should we burden the mule of the present with the camel-load of
the future. I take what comes--what is sent me, that is."
"You are right, Mr. Grant! If I were in your position, I should
think just as you do. But, alas, I have never had any choice!"
"Perhaps your lordship has not chosen to choose!" Donal was on the
point of saying, but bethought himself in time not to hazard the
remark.
"If I were a rich man, Mr. Grant," the earl continued, "I would
secure your services for a time indefinite; but, as every one knows,
not an acre of the property belongs to me, or goes with the title.
Davie, dear boy, will have nothing but a thousand or two. The
marriage I have in view for lord Forgue will arrange a future for
him."
"I hope there will be some love in the marriage!" said Donal
uneasily, with a vague thought of Eppy.
Pages:
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250