"I deny peremptorily your Lordship's right to ask me a single question arising out of information obtained in such a dis--I mean such an unprecedented manner!" answered Gammon, vehemently. "Two thousand a-year, sir!--out of my son-in-law's property?" repeated the earl, with a kind of bewildered incredulity. "I cannot comprehend your Lordship's conduct in attempting neither to justify what you have done, nor apologize for it," said Gammon, endeavoring to speak calmly; and at the same time depositing the conveyance in a large iron safe, and then locking the door of it, Lord Dreddlington, the while, eying his movements in silence. "Mr. Gammon, I must and will have this matter explained; depend upon it, I will have it looked into and thoroughly sifted," at length said Lord Dreddlington, with returning self-possession, as Gammon observed-- "Can your Lordship derive any right to information from me, out of an act of your Lordship's which no honorable mind--nay, if your Lordship insists on my making myself understood--I will say, an act which no gentleman would resort to"----The earl rose from his chair with calmness and dignity. "What _your_ notions of honorable or gentlemanly conduct may happen to be, sir," said the old peer, drawing himself up to his full height, and speaking with his usual deliberation, "it may not be worth my while to inquire; but let me tell you, sir"---- "My Lord, I beg your Lordship's forgiveness--I have certainly been hurried by my excitement into expressions which I would gladly withdraw." "Hear me, sir," replied the earl, with a composure which, under the circumstances, was wonderful; "it is the first time in my life that any one has presumed to speak to me in such a manner, and to use such language; and I will neither forget it, sir, nor forgive it." "Then, my Lord, I take the liberty of reasserting what I had withdrawn," said Gammon, his blood appearing to flow like liquid fire in all his veins. He had never given Lord Dreddlington credit for being able to exhibit the spirit and self-command which he was then displaying. The earl bowed loftily as Gammon spoke; and on his concluding, said with haughty composure-- "When I entered your room, sir, that document caught my eye accidentally; and on seeing upon the outside of it--for no farther have I looked--the name of my own son-in-law, it was but natural that I should suppose there could be no objection to my continuing to examine the outside. That _was_ my opinion, sir--that _is_ my opinion; your presumptuous expressions, sir, cannot change that opinion, nor make me forget our relative positions," he added loftily; "and I once more demand, sir, what is the meaning of that extraordinary document?"