"Sir--sir--I--I--that is--_my_ concern," stammered the earl, very nearly thrust out of his course by this stroke of Gammon's; but he soon recovered himself--for the topic they were discussing had taken a thorough hold of his mind. "Did you give a pecuniary consideration, Mr. Gammon?"
"I gave a large sum in ready money; and the remainder is expressed to be, my long and arduous services to Mr. Titmouse, in putting him into possession of his property."
"Will you, then, favor me with a copy of this deed, that I may examine it, and submit it to competent"----
"No, my Lord, I will do no such thing," replied Gammon, peremptorily.
"You will not, sir?" repeated the earl, after a pause, his cold blue eye fixed upon that of Gammon, and his face full of stern and haughty defiance.
"No, my Lord, I will not. Probably _that_ answer is explicit enough!" replied Gammon, returning Lord Dreddlington's look with unwavering steadfastness. There was a pause.
"But one conclusion can be drawn, then, from your refusal, sir--one highly disadvantageous to you, sir. No one can avoid the inference that there has been foul play, and fraud of the grossest descrip"----
"You are a peer of the realm, Lord Dreddlington; try to be a _gentleman_," said Gammon, who had turned deadly pale. The earl's eye continued fixed on Gammon, and his lip slightly quivered. He seemed amazed at Gammon's audacity.
"Let me recommend your Lordship to be more cautious and measured in your language," said Gammon, visibly struggling to speak with calmness--"especially concerning matters on which you are utterly--profoundly ignorant"----
"I will not long remain so, Mr. Gammon; you may rely upon it," replied the earl, with sustained firmness and hauteur.
["Shall I? shall I? _shall_ I prostrate you, insolent old fool! soul and body?" thought Gammon.]
"I will instantly seek out Mr. Titmouse," continued the earl, "and will soon get at the bottom of this--this--monstrous transaction."
"I cannot, of course, control your Lordship's motions. If you _do_ apply to Mr. Titmouse, you will in all probability receive the information you seek for--that is, if Mr. Titmouse _dare_, without first consulting _me_"----
"If--Mr.--Titmouse--_dare_, sir?" echoed the earl, calmly and scornfully.