The ascendency which it was the purpose of the man of the
world to establish over this savage instrument, was gained from that
time. Hugh's submission was complete. He dreaded him beyond description;
and felt that accident and artifice had spun a web about him, which at a
touch from such a master-hand as his, would bind him to the gallows.
With these thoughts passing through his mind, and yet wondering at the
very same time how he who came there rioting in the confidence of this
man (as he thought), should be so soon and so thoroughly subdued, Hugh
stood cowering before him, regarding him uneasily from time to time,
while he finished dressing. When he had done so, he took up the
letter, broke the seal, and throwing himself back in his chair, read it
leisurely through.
'Very neatly worded upon my life! Quite a woman's letter, full of what
people call tenderness, and disinterestedness, and heart, and all that
sort of thing!'
As he spoke, he twisted it up, and glancing lazily round at Hugh as
though he would say 'You see this?' held it in the flame of the candle.
When it was in a full blaze, he tossed it into the grate, and there it
smouldered away.
'It was directed to my son,' he said, turning to Hugh, 'and you did
quite right to bring it here.
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