And later the attachment between them had grown and thriven, for Piers had never relinquished the ground he had won in babyhood.

By sheer arrogance of possession he had held his own till the impetuous ardour of his affection and the utter fearlessness on which it was founded had made of him the cherished idol of the heart which had tried to shut him out.

Sir Beverley gloried in the boy though he still flattered himself that no one suspected the fact, and still believed that his rule was a rule of stern discipline under which Piers might chafe but against which he would never openly revolt.
He could not remember a single occasion upon which he had not been able to master Piers, possibly after a fierce struggle but always with absolute completeness in the end.

And there was so much of sweetness in the youngster's nature that, unruly though he might be, he never nurtured a grievance.

He would fight for his own way to the last of his strength, but when beaten he always yielded with a good grace.