“As to that,” replied Sir Thomas, “use no unnecessary delicacy on the subject.  Thank God, the English language is a copious one.  Use it to its full extent.  You will find all its power necessary to establish the pretty conspiracy you are developing.  Proceed, sir, I am quite attentive.  I really did not imagine I could have felt so much amused.  Indeed, I am very fortunate in this respect, for it is not every man who could have such an excellent farce enacted at his own fireside.”

“All this language is well, and no doubt very witty, Sir Thomas; but, believe me, in the end you will find this matter anything but a farce.  Now, sir, I crave your attention to a proposal which I am about to make to you on this most distressing subject.  Restore this young man to his mother—­use whatever means you may in bringing this about.  Let it appear, for instance, that he was discovered accidentally, or in such a way, at least, that your name or agency, either now or formerly, may in no manner be connected with it.  On these terms you shall be permitted to enjoy the title and property during your life, and every necessary guarantee to that effect shall be given you.  The heart of Lady Gourlay is neither in your present title nor your present property, but in her child, whom that heart yearns to recover.  This, then, Sir Thomas Gourlay, is the condition which I propose; and, mark me, I propose it on the alternative of our using the means and materials already in our hands for your exposure and conviction should you reject it.”

“There is one quality about you, sir,” replied the baronet, “which I admire extremely, and that is your extraordinary modesty.  Nothing else could prompt you to stand up and charge a man of my rank and character, on my own hearth, with the very respectable crime of kidnapping my brother’s child.  Extremely modest, indeed!  But how you should come to be engaged in this vindictive plot, and how you, above all men living, should have the assurance to thus insult me, is a mystery for the present.  Of course, you see, you are aware, that I treat every word you have uttered with the utmost degree of contempt and scorn which the language is capable of expressing.  I neither know nor care who may have prompted you, or misled you; be that, however, as it may, I have only simply to state that, on this subject I defy them as thoroughly as I despise you.  On another subject, however, I experience toward you a different, feeling, as I shall teach you to understand before you leave the room.”

“This being your reply, I must discharge my duty fully.  Pray mark me, now, Sir Thomas.  Did you not give instructions to a certain man to take your brother’s child out of your path—­out of your sight—­out of your hearing? And, Sir Thomas, was not that man very liberally rewarded for that act?  I pray you, sir, to think seriously of this, as I need not say that if you persist in rejecting our conditions, a serious matter you will find it.”