He sat carelessly, and his voice was languid, as if it were no great matter that he discussed; but his face was pale above the black stock, and his lips had the look of disdain that came to them when against his will he forced himself to touch affairs he wished to spurn.
"If your lordship's object in this visit is what I imagine it to be," said Mr. Hilton, "there is not much for us to discuss."
Rose Lyndwood lifted his head; he did not look at the other man, but beyond him.
"A year ago, or nearly a year ago, Mr. Hilton, you and I met on a matter of business." The disdainful smile was now unmistakable. "You, as one of the gentlemen connected with my banking house, knew, and know, something of my affairs."
Mr. Hilton nodded, as if he heard what he had expected and was satisfied.
The Earl began to pull off his gloves slowly, loosening each finger first. He turned his eyes on Mr. Hilton, and they looked as dark as the velvet bat at the corner of his beautiful mouth.
"I was in difficulties then, you will remember, and you made a proposition to me that I rejected. How much of this need I recall to you?"
"I recollect it," said Mr. Hilton, "perfectly."
There was a hardly noticeable pause and a hardly noticeable effort on the part of the Earl before he spoke again.