Besides, why should I? We have cut each other these four years."
CHAPTER LXXXII
IT almost seemed as though our casual mention of Theobald and
Christina had in some way excited them from a dormant to an active
state. During the years that had elapsed since they last appeared upon
the scene they had remained at Battersby, and had concentrated their
affection upon their other children.
It had been a bitter pill to Theobald to lose his power of
plaguing his first-born; if the truth were known I believe he had felt
this more acutely than any disgrace which might have been shed upon
him by Ernest's imprisonment. He had made one or two attempts to
reopen negotiations through me, but I never said anything about them
to Ernest, for I knew it would upset him. I wrote, however, to
Theobald that I had found his son inexorable, and recommended him
for the present, at any rate, to desist from returning to the subject.
This I thought would be at once what Ernest would like best and
Theobald least.
A few days, however, after Ernest had come into his property, I
received a letter from Theobald enclosing one for Ernest which I could
not withhold.
The letter ran thus:
"TO MY SON ERNEST,- Although you have more than once rejected my
overtures I appeal yet again to your better nature.
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