There is no humiliation so bitter as that of a rejected offering.

Was it not the failure of Cain's attempted propitiation that kindled the flame of hate and murder in his heart?
Steve Latrigg went back to Up-Hill, nursing a feeling of indignation against the man who had so suddenly conceived a dislike to him, and who had dashed, with regrets and doubtful speeches and faint praise, all the plans which at sunrise had seemed so full of hope, and so worthy of success.
The squire was equally annoyed.

He could not avoid speaking of the interview, for it irritated him, and was uppermost in his thoughts.

He detailed it with a faint air of pitying contempt.

"The lad is upset with the money and land he has come into, and the whole place is too small for his greatness." That was what he said, and he knew he was unjust; but the moral atmosphere between Steve and himself had become permeated with distrust and dislike.