"Sir, you insult me," he said, "and with your permission I will retire."
And he took up his hat and gloves.
"Sit down, sir--sit down, I say," cried the elder man, sternly. "Don't imagine that I have done with you yet."
"I have never been a frequenter of low gaming-houses; I have never cheated at cards in my life," said the young man, proudly.
"You would not have been a Denison if you had cheated at cards. But again I tell you to sit down. I have much to say to you."
Gilbert the younger did as he was told, but with something of an ill grace. In his eyes there was a cold, hard look that had not been there before.
"Nephew, if you have not yet disgraced yourself--and I don't believe that you have--you are on the high-road to do so. Has it ever entered your head to think whither such mad doings as yours must inevitably land you?"
"I suppose that other men before me have sown their wild oats," said Gilbert, sulkily. "I have heard it said that you yourself, sir----"
"Never mind me. The question we have now to consider is that of your future. When you are master of Heron Dyke--if you ever do become its master--is it your intention to make ducks and drakes of the old property, as you have made ducks and drakes of the fortune left you by your father?"
"Really, sir, that is a question that has never entered into my thoughts."