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Had you
possessed children of your own, they should never have been allowed to
shut out Lionel. He is your elder brother's son, remember."
Mr. Verner sat like one in dire perplexity. It would appear that there
was a struggle going on in his own mind.
"I know, I know," he presently said, in answer. "The worry, the
uncertainty, as to what I ought to do, has destroyed the peace of my
later days. I altered my will when smarting under the discovery of his
unworthiness; but, even then a doubt as to whether I was doing right
caused me to name him as inheritor, should the Massingbirds die."
"Why, that must have been a paradox!" exclaimed Mr. Bitterworth. "Lionel
Verner should inherit before all, or not inherit at all. What your
ground of complaint against him is, I know not; but whatever it may be,
it can be no excuse for your willing away from him Verner's Pride. Some
youthful folly of his came to your knowledge, I conclude."
"Not folly. Call it sin--call it crime," vehemently replied Mr. Verner.
"As you please; you know its proper term better than I.


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