"
Mr. Graeme took it.
That night the earl died.
Donal wrote to Percy that his father was dead. Two days after, he
appeared. The new earl met him in the hall.
"Mr. Graeme," said Percy,--
"I am lord Morven, Mr. Graeme," returned his lordship.
The fellow said an evil word, turned on his heel, and left them to
bury his father without him.
The funeral over, the earl turned to Donal and looked him in the
face: they walked back to the castle arm in arm, and from that
moment were as brothers.
Earl Hector did nothing of importance without consulting Donal, and
Donal had the more influence both with landlord and tenants that he
had no interest in the property.
The same week he left the castle, and took possession of Morven
House. The people said Mr. Grant had played his cards well: had they
known what he had really done, they would have called him a born
idiot.
Davie, to whom no calamity could be overwhelming so long as he had
Mr. Grant, accompanied him gladly, more than content to live with
him till he went to college, whither the earl wished to send him.
Donal hindered rather than sped the day. When it came, the earl
would have had him go too, but Donal would not.
"I have done what I can," he said. "It is time he should walk
alone."
It was soon evident that the boy would not disgrace him. There is no
certainty as to how deep any teaching may have gone--as to whether
it has reached the issues of life or not, until a youth is left by
himself, and has to choose and refuse companions: the most promising
youths are often but promisers.
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