"You will excuse my reminding you of the
fact that you have large accumulated funds in hand, and nearly a
hundred thousand pounds worth of easily realizable securities.
Tredowen has been in your mother's family for a good many years, and I
should doubt whether it will be easily disposed of."
The man at the head of the table raised his head. He looked steadily
at the lawyer, who began to wish that he had left the room with his
clerk. Decidedly, Sir Wingrave Seton was not an easy man to get on
with.
"My mind is quite made up, thank you, on this and all other matters
concerning which I have given you instructions," was the calm reply.
"I have had plenty of time for consideration," he added drily.
The lawyer had his opening at last, and he plunged.
"Sir Wingrave," he said, "we were at college together, and our
connection is an old one. You must forgive me if I say how glad I am
to see you here, and to know that your bad time is over. I can assure
you that you have had my deepest sympathy. Nothing ever upset me so
much as that unfortunate affair. I sincerely trust that you will do
your best now to make up for lost time. You are still young, and you
are rich. Let us leave business alone now, for the moment. What can I
do for you as a friend, if you will allow me to call you so?"
Wingrave turned slightly in his chair. In his altered position, a ray
of sunshine fell for the first time upon his gaunt but striking face.
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