Val, on his part, seriously advised his brother _not_ to allow the Kirtons to come to Hartledon; and this reached the ears of the dowager.
You may be sure it did not tend to soothe her.

Lord Hartledon only laughed at Val, saying they might come if they liked; what did it matter?
But, strange to say, Val Elster was as a very reed in the hands of the old woman.

Let her once get hold of him, and she could turn him any way she pleased.

He felt afraid of her, and bent to her will.

The feeling may have had its rise partly in the fear instilled into his boyhood, partly in the yielding nature of his disposition.