Sir E There must be money somewhere, I came into possession of one of the finest properties in Hampshire only twenty-six years ago, and now you mean to tell me I cannot raise 4,000 pounds? Coyle The fact is distressing, Sir Edward, but so it is. Sir E There's the Ravensdale property unencumbered. Coyle There, Sir Edward, you are under a mistake. The Ravensdale property is deeply encumbered, to nearly its full value. Sir E [Springing up.] Good heavens. Coyle I have found among my father's papers a mortgage of that very property to him. Sir E To your father! My father's agent? Coyle Yes, bearing date the year after the great contested election for the county, on which the late Sir Edward patriotically spent sixty thousand pounds for the honor of not being returned to Parliament. Sir E A mortgage on the Ravensdale estate. But it must have been paid off, Mr. Coyle, [anxiously,] have you looked for the release or the receipt? Coyle Neither exists. My father's sudden death explains sufficiently. I was left in ignorance of the transaction, but the seals on the deed and the stamps are intact, here it is, sir. [Shows it.] Sir E Sir, do you know that if this be true I am something like a beggar, and your father something like a thief. Coyle I see the first plainly, Sir Edward, but not the second. Sir E Do you forget sir, that your father was a charity boy, fed, clothed by my father? Coyle Well, Sir Edward? Sir E And do you mean to tell me, sir, that your father repaid that kindness by robbing his benefactor? Coyle Certainly not, but by advancing money to that benefactor when he wanted it, and by taking the security of one of his benefactor's estates, as any prudent man would under the circumstances. Sir E Why, then, sir, the benefactor's property is yours. Coyle Pardon me, the legal estate you have your equity of redemption. You have only to pay the money and the estate is yours as before. Sir E How dare you, sir, when you have just shown me that I cannot raise five hundred pounds in the world. Oh! Florence, why did I not listen to you when you warned me against this man? Coyle [Aside.] Oh! she warned you, did she? [Aloud.] I see one means, at least, of keeping the Ravensdale estate in the family. Sir E What is it? Coyle By marrying your daughter to the mortgagee. Sir E To you? Coyle I am prepared to settle the estate on Miss Trenchard the day she becomes Mrs. Richard Coyle. Sir E [Springing up.] You insolent scoundrel, how dare you insult me in my own house, sir. Leave it, sir, or I will have you kicked out by my servants. Coyle I never take an angry man at his word, Sir Edward. Give a few moments reflection to my offer, you can have me kicked out afterwards.