“I regret to differ from you,” here put in Mr. Raidsford; “but I cannot agree with that opinion.”
Mr. Stewart looked over at the speaker with an expression which seemed to say, that it was a matter of supreme indifference to him whether Mr. Raidsford agreed or not, but still he condescended to explain that “Lord Kemms had suffered judgment to go by default.”
“Mr. Black’s very remark!” said Lord Kemms. “He drew his shoulders up to his ears, and stuffed his hands under the waistband of his trousers——”
“Really, Frank, you are needlessly descriptive,” expostulated Mr. Stewart.
“And said,” proceeded Lord Kemms, unheeding the interruption, “you know, my Lord, it is of no sort of manner of use your kicking up an infernal row about the matter now. You have suffered judgment to go by default; and whether you intended your name to be on our board or not, cannot make any difference at this time of day; so you had better let us come to some arrangement. Speaking on behalf of the other directors, I am certain the Company will do what it can to meet your views.”
“Could a man have spoken any fairer than that?” inquired Mr. Stewart.
“Fairer! I never heard anything so perfectly cool and impertinent in my life!” exclaimed Lord Kemms. “First, to use my name, and then dare to say, ‘I need not try to set myself right with the public!’”
“What do you suppose the public cares about the affair?” asked Mr. Croft. “To whom, do you imagine, it signifies in the least whether your name is on the Direction or not?”
“It signifies to me,” replied his Lordship.
“Why?” demanded Mr. Stewart.