He would recall
or assume the existence of many precedents in the history of noble
families; he would say that, knowing the general character of their
heads, no one would believe a single noble family without at least
one unrecorded, undiscovered, or well concealed irregularity in its
descent; and he would judge it the cruellest thing to have let him
know the blighting fact, seeing that in ignorance he might have
succeeded with a good conscience.
But what kind of a father was this, thought Donal, who would thus
defile his son's conscience! he had not done it in mere revenge, but
to gain his son's submission as well! Whether the poor fellow leaned
to the noble or ignoble, it was no marvel he should wander about
looking scarce worthy the name of man! If he would but come to him
that he might help him! He could at least encourage him to refuse
the evil and choose the good! But even if he would receive such
help, the foregone passages between them rendered it sorely
improbable it would ever fall to him to afford it!
That his visits to Eppy were intermitted, Donal judged from her
countenance and bearing; and if he hesitated to sacrifice his own
pride to the truth, it could not be without contemplating as
possible the sacrifice of her happiness to a lie. In such delay he
could hardly be praying "Lead me not into temptation:" if not
actively tempting himself, he was submitting to be tempted; he was
lingering on the evil shore.
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