“And so our trusty and well-beloved cousin of Netherby is coming to visit us,” said the Knight, musing. “Well, Lionel, I confess myself half of your mind. I did not like him at first: the better impression is yet to come. In any case, let us receive him suitably; and, fortunately, here's Gleeson to help the arrangement—Well, Gleeson, I hope matters are making some progress. Are we to see the last of these parchments soon? Here's a letter from my son. Read it, and you 'll see I must get back to 'the West' at once.”
Gleeson perused the letter, and when he had finished, returned it into the Knight's hand without speaking.
“Can we conclude this week?” asked Darcy.
“There are several points yet, sir, of great difficulty. Some I have already submitted for counsel's opinion; one in particular, as regards the serving the notice of repayment: there would appear to be a doubt on this head.”
“There can be none in reality,” said Darcy, hastily. “I have Hickman's letter, in his own handwriting, averring his readiness to release the mortgage at any day.”
“Is the document witnessed, and on a stamp?” asked Gleeson, cautiously.
“Of course it is not. Those are scarcely the forms of a note between two private gentlemen.”
“It might be of use in equity, no doubt,” muttered Gleeson, “or before a jury; but we have no time for these considerations now. The Attorney-General thinks—”
“Never mind the Attorney-General. Have we the money to repay? Well, does Hickman refuse to accept it?”
“He has not been asked as yet, sir,” said Gleeson, whose business notions were not a little ruffled by this abrupt mode of procedure.