The explanation of it all came a few minutes after Jane's
retirement. Michael, warned by his illness bow unstable was the
tenure on which he henceforth held his life, had resolved to have an
end of mystery and explain to his son all that he had already made
known to Sidney Kirkwood. With Jane he had spoken a few hours ago,
revealing to her the power that was in his hands, the solemn
significance he attached to it, the responsibility with which her
future was to be invested. To make the same things known to Joseph
was a task of more difficulty. He could not here count on
sympathetic intelligence; it was but too certain that his son would
listen with disappointment, if not with bitterness. In order to
mitigate the worst results, he began by making known the fact of his
wealth and asking if Joseph had any practical views which could be
furthered by a moderate sum put at his disposal.
'At my death,' he added, 'you'll find that I haven't dealt unkindly
by you. But you're a man of middle age, and I should like to see you
in some fixed way of life before I go.'
Having heard all, Joseph promised to think over the proposal which
concerned himself.
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