"Well, then, my Lord, since you are so pertinacious on the point--retaining my strong opinion concerning the very unwarrantable means which enable you to put the question to me--I disdain equivocation or further concealment," he continued with forced composure, "and distinctly admit that the document which was lately in your Lordship's hands, _is_ an instrument completely executed with all due form, having the effect which it professes to have. It gives me, my Lord, a rent-charge for the term of my life, of two thousand pounds a-year upon Mr. Titmouse's estate of Yatton."
"Good God, sir!" exclaimed the earl, gazing at Gammon, as if thunderstruck with an answer which, nevertheless, he could not but have calculated upon--and which was indeed inevitable.
"That is the fact, my Lord, undoubtedly," said Gammon, with the air of a man who has made up his mind to encounter something very serious.
"There never was such a thing heard of, sir! Two thousand pounds a-year given to his solicitor by my son-in-law! Why, he is a mere boy"----
"He was old enough to marry the Lady Cecilia, my Lord," interrupted Gammon, calmly, but very bitterly.
"That may be, sir," replied the earl, his face faintly flushing--"but he is ignorant of business, sir--of the world--or you must have taken advantage of him when he was intoxicated."
"Nothing--nothing of the kind, my Lord. Never was Mr. Titmouse more sober--never in fuller possession of his faculties--never less in liquor--never did he do anything more deliberately, than when he signed that conveyance."
"Why, have you purchased it, sir? Given consideration for it?" inquired the earl, with a perplexed air.
"Why did not your Lordship make that inquiry before you felt yourself at liberty to make the harsh and injurious comments which you have"----
"No, my Lord--I do not wish to do so. I _have_ given value for it--full value; and Mr. Titmouse, if you ask him, will tell you so."
"And is the consideration recorded in the deed, sir?"
"I must again ask you, sir--do you mean to tell me that you have given full value for this rent-charge?"
"Then, why all this mystery, Mr. Gammon?"
"Let me ask, in my turn, my Lord, why all these questions about a matter with which you have nothing to do? Would it not be much better for your Lordship to attend to _your own_ affairs, just now, after the very alarming"----