For the old man was just in his anger; it never seemed possible to him to deprive Colin of the right of his heritage.

To be the 13th Laird of Crawford was Colin's birthright; he fully recognized his title to the honor, and, as the future head of the house, rendered him a definite respect.
Of course a letter written in such a spirit did no good whatever.
Nothing after it could have induced Colin to come home.

He wrote and declined to receive even the allowance due to him as heir of Crawford.
The letter was perfectly respectful, but cruelly cold and polite, and every word cut the old man like a sword.
For some weeks he really seemed to lose all interest in life.

Then the result Tallisker feared was arrived at.

He let ambition go, and settled down to the simple toil of accumulation..