mpensation that the others did not share; and he soon believed
that that compensation was in one form or another the enjoyment of the
sufferings of others. Thus the black had a never-failing source of
amusement.
Lady Arabella's cold nature rendered her immune to anything in the way of
pain or trouble concerning others. Edgar Caswall was far too haughty a
person, and too stern of nature, to concern himself about poor or
helpless people, much less the lower order of mere animals. Mr. Watford,
Mr. Salton, and Sir Nathaniel were all concerned in the issue, partly
from kindness of heart--for none of them could see suffering, even of
wild birds, unmoved--and partly on account of their property, which had
to be protected, or ruin would stare them in the face before long.
Lilla suffered acutely. As time went on, her face became pinched, and
her eyes dull with watching and crying. Mimi suffered too on account of
her cousin's suffering. But as she could do nothing, she resolutely made
up her mind to self-restraint and patience. Adam's frequent visits
comforted her.
CHAPTER XI--MESMER'S CHEST
After a couple of weeks had passed, the kite seemed to give Edgar Caswall
a new zest for life. He was never tired of looking at its movements. He
had a comfortable armchair put out on the tower, wherein he sat sometimes
all day long, watching as though the kite was a new toy and he a child
lately come into possession of it. He did not seem to have lost interest
in Lilla, for he still paid an occasional visit at Mercy Farm.
Indeed, his feeling towards her, whatever it had been at first, had now
so far changed that it had become a distinct affection of a purely animal
kind. Indeed, it seemed as though the man's nature had become corrupted,
and that all the baser and more selfish and more reckless qualities had
become more conspicuous. There was not so much sternness apparent in his
nature, because there was less self-restraint. Determination had become
indifference.
The visible change in Edgar was that he grew morbid, sad, silent; the
neighbours thought he was going mad. He became absorbed in the kite, and
watched it not only by day, but often all night long. It became an
obsession to him.
Caswall took a personal interest in the keeping of the great kite flying.
He had a vast coil of cord efficient for the purpose, which worked on a
roller fixed on the parapet of the tower. There was a winch for the
pullin
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