The latter, like many another country squire--especially of that day--when his word and will were law to his tenants and dependants, was a very great man indeed, when dealing with them.

He could bluster and threaten, and even carry his threats into execution with a confident swagger that had more of magisterial pride and the pomp of property in it, than a sense of either light or justice.

But, on the other hand, let him meet a man of his own rank, who cared nothing about his authority as a magistrate, or his assumption as a man of large landed property, and he was nothing but a poor weak-minded tool in his hands.

So far our description is correct; but when such a knave as Sir Robert Whitecraft came in his way--a knave at once calculating, deceitful, plausible, and cunning--why, our worthy old squire, who thought himself a second Solomon, might be taken by the nose and led round the whole barony.
There is no doubt that he had sapiently laid down his plans--to harass and persecute his daughter into a marriage with Sir Robert, and would have probably driven her from under his roof, had he not received the programme of his conduct from Whitecraft.

That cowardly caitiff had a double motive in this.