sionate adoration. I can call it nothing less. Fer her I
could brave danger, difficulty, death; but I could not give her up.

And I would not!

Why should I? I was master, I would remain so. I would maintain my
rights. I would let Wilfred know that I was the elder brother and he
the younger. And Ruth should be mine. My father wished it, and so did
hers, and so I would claim her. I would take my father's place and
reign righteously. I would be a pattern to the neighbouring gentry,
and my name should be respected far and wide. This was what every
eldest son of my race save one had done--that is, they had all claimed
their position, and so would I. Wilfred's happiness! Well, Wilfred
had always defied me and treated me as an inferior. Wilfred must take
care of himself; he must be thankful that I gave him the annuity my
father had mentioned. I could not help being born the first; besides,
what had I to do with his happiness? What right had he to seek to win
Ruth's affections? Doubtless he who was so friendly with Mr. Inch
would know her father's wish. Thus he must have acted like a sneak to
have sought what could not be fairly given to him. And Ruth! Did I
not love her, would I not humour her every wish, grant her every
desire, and devote my life to make her happy?

And mother?

She had never cared for me, never trusted me, never treated me as a
son, never told me of her intentions. I did not know, indeed, if she
were my mother. Why, then, should I trouble about her? If need be she
could go and live with Wilfred; at any rate, I would be Trewinion's
lord, and maintain my rights.

Then the other side presented itself. If this were carried out what
would be the result? I should see Ruth suffering, pining day by day.
She would loathe my presence, she would shudder at my embrace. By my
selfishness I should wreck her life. I should be her murderer. Then
what happiness should I have? Could I be happy while the woman I loved
was being cursed by my presence?

Then I put it this way: If I went away--not that I should, but
considering it suppositiously merely--if I went away, what would be the
result? Wilfred would claim to be master; he would be Trewinion's
heir; he would wed Ruth, who would gladly join her life to his--for
were they not affianced lovers?--my mother would rejoice, and all would
be happy. My black shadow would be taken from their lives, and they
could for ever live in the sunshine.