"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. "Yes--_dare_!" furiously retorted Gammon, his eye, as it were, momentarily flashing fire. "Sir, this is very highly amusing!" said Lord Dreddlington, trying to smile; but it was impossible. His hands trembled so much that he could not draw on his glove without great effort. "To _me_, my Lord, it is very--very painful," replied Gammon, with an agitation which he could not conceal--"not painful on my own account, but your Lordship's"---- "Sir, I appreciate your presumptuous sympathy," interrupted Lord Dreddlington. "In the mean while, you may depend upon my taking steps forthwith of a somewhat decisive character. We shall see, sir, how long transactions of this sort can be concealed." At this point, Gammon had finally determined upon making his long-dreaded disclosure to the Earl of Dreddlington--one which he knew would instantly topple him down headlong over the battlements of his lofty and unapproachable pride, as though he had been struck by lightning. Gammon felt himself getting colder every minute--his agitation driving the blood from his extremities back upon his heart. "Your Lordship has spoken of _concealment_," he commenced with visible emotion.--"Your Lordship's offensive and most uncalled-for observations upon my motives and conduct, irritated me for the moment--but that is gone by. They have, however, worked my feelings up to a point which will enable me, now, perhaps, better than on any future occasion, to make a disclosure to your Lordship of a secret, which ever since it unhappily came to my knowledge, so help me Heaven! has made me the most miserable of men." There was something in Gammon's countenance and manner which compelled the earl to sit down again in the chair from which he had risen, and where he remained gazing in wondering silence at Gammon, who proceeded--"It is a communication which will require all your Lordship's strength of mind to prevent its overpowering you"---- "Gracious God, sir, what do you mean? What do you mean, Mr. Gammon? Go on, sir!" said the earl, turning very pale. "I would even now, my Lord, shrink from the precipice which I have approached, and leave your Lordship in ignorance of that which--alas, alas!--no earthly power can remedy; but your Lordship's singular discovery of the rent-charge, which we have talked about so long and anxiously, and determination to become fully acquainted with the circumstances out of which it has arisen, leave me no option."