"Sir, you evade my question."
"No, my Lord—I do not wish to do so. I have given value for it—full value; and Mr. Titmouse, if you ask him, will tell you so."
The earl paused.
"And is the consideration recorded in the deed, sir?"
"It is, my Lord—and truly."
"I must again ask you, sir—do you mean to tell me that you have given full value for this rent-charge?"
"Full value, my Lord."
"Then, why all this mystery, Mr. Gammon?"
"Let me ask, in my turn, my Lord, why all these questions about a matter with which you have nothing to do? Would it not be much better for your Lordship to attend to your own affairs, just now, after the very alarming"——
"Sir—sir—I—I—that is—my concern," stammered the earl, very nearly thrust out of his course by this stroke of Gammon's; but he soon recovered himself—for the topic they were discussing had taken a thorough hold of his mind. "Did you give a pecuniary consideration, Mr. Gammon?"