Were not the odds the other way?
Was it not almost probable that both these men might be gathered to their long account within the next four years?
One, the elder, was a strong man, indeed; one who might yet live for years to come if he would but give himself fair play.

But then, he himself protested, and protested with a truth too surely grounded, that fair play to himself was beyond his own power to give.

The other, the younger, had everything against him.

Not only was he a poor, puny creature, without physical strength, one of whose life a friend could never feel sure under any circumstances, but he also was already addicted to his father's vices; he also was already killing himself with alcohol.
And then, if these two men did die within the prescribed period, if this clause in Sir Roger's will were brought to bear, if it should become his, Dr Thorne's, duty to see that clause carried out, how would he be bound to act?
That woman's eldest child was his own niece, his adopted bairn, his darling, the pride of his heart, the cynosure of his eye, his child also, his own Mary.

Of all his duties on this earth, next to that one great duty to his God and conscience, was his duty to her.