an others really worse
than himself, but who had wit to parade their best traits. Now, however,
he rode and strode the country a mere scowling ruffian, with his
uppermost emotions still stamped on his face. The calamity also bred an
unsuspected sensitiveness in him, and he smarted often under the
reflection of what others must be thinking. His capability towards
vindictiveness proved very considerable. Formerly his anger against his
fellow-men had been as a thunder-storm, tremendous but brief in
duration; now, before this bolt of his own forging, a steady, malignant
activity germinated and spread through the whole tissue of his mind.

Those distractions open to a man of Grimbal's calibre presently blunted
the edge of his loss, and successful developments of business also
served to occupy him during the visit he paid to Africa; but no
interests as yet had arisen to obscure or dull his hatred of Will
Blanchard. The original blaze of rage sank to a steady, abiding fire,
less obviously tremendous than that first conflagration, but in reality
hotter. In a nature unsubtle, revenge will not flourish as a grand
passion for any length of time. It must reach its outlet quickly and
attain to its ambition without overmuch delay, else it shrivels and
withers to a mere stubborn, perhaps lifelong, enmity--a dwarfish, mulish
thing, devoid of any tragic splendour. But up to the point that John
Grimbal had reached as yet, his character, though commonplace in most
affairs, had unexpectedly quickened to a condition quite profound where
his revenge was concerned.

He still cherished the certainty of a crushing retaliation. He was glad
he had not done Blanchard any lifelong injury; he was glad the man yet
lived for time and him to busy themselves about; he was even glad (and
herein appeared the unsuspected subtlety) that Will had prospered and
come by a little show of fortune. Half unconsciously he hoped for the
boy something of his own experiences, and had determined with
himself--in a spirit very melodramatic but perfectly sincere at
present--to ruin his enemy if patience and determination could
accomplish it.

In this mood, with his wrongs sharpened by return to Chagford and his
purposes red-hot, John Grimbal now ran against his dearest foe, received
the horsewhip from him, and listened to his offer of peace.

He still kept silence and Will lowered the half-lifted arm and spoke
again.

"As you please. I can bide very easy without yo