He bore himself arrogantly on that evening, having resumed the airs and would-be dignity which he thought belonged to him as a man of rank and property.  In his periods of low spirits, he was abject and humble enough; abject and fearful of the lamentable destiny which at these moments he believed to be in store for him.  But it was one of the peculiar symptoms of his state, that as he partially recovered his bodily health, the tone of his mind recovered itself also, and his fears for the time were relieved.

There was very little said between him and the doctor that evening.  The doctor sat, guarding the wine, and thinking when he should have his house to himself again.  Sir Louis sat moody, every now and then uttering some impertinence as to the Greshams and the Greshamsbury property, and, at an early hour, allowed Joe to put him to bed.

The horses were ordered on the next day for three, and, as two, Mr Gazebee came to the house.  He had never been there before, nor had he ever met Dr Thorne except at the squire’s dinner.  On this occasion he asked only for the baronet.

‘Ah! ah!  I’m glad you’re come, Mr Gazebee; very glad,’ said Sir Louis; acting the part of the rich, great man with all the power he had.  ’I want to ask you a few questions so as to make it all clear sailing between us.’

‘As you have asked to see me, I have come, Sir Louis,’ said the other, putting on much dignity as he spoke.  ’But would it not be better that any business there may be should be done among the lawyers?’

’The lawyers are very well, I dare say; but when a man has so large a stake at interest as I have in this Greshamsbury property, why, you see, Mr Gazebee, he feels a little inclined to look after it himself.  Now, do you know, Mr Gazebee, how much it is that Mr Gresham owes me?’

Mr Gazebee, of course, did know very well; but he was not going to discuss the subject with Sir Louis, if he could help it.

’Whatever claim your father’s estate may have on that of Mr Gresham is, as far as I understand, vested in Dr Thorne’s hands as trustee.  I am inclined to believe that you have not yourself at present any claim on Greshamsbury.  The interest, as it becomes due, is paid to Dr Thorne; and if I may be allowed to make a suggestion, I would say that it will not be expedient to make any change in that arrangement till the property shall come into your own hands.’

’I differ from you entirely, Mr Gazebee; in toto as we used to say at Eton.  What you mean to say is—­I can’t go to law with Mr Gresham; I’m not so sure of that; but perhaps not.  But I can compel Dr Thorne to look after my interests.  I can force him to foreclose.  And to tell you the truth, Gazebee, unless some arrangement is proposed to me which I shall think advantageous, I shall do so at once.  There is near a hundred thousand pounds owing to me; yes to me.  Thorne is only a name in the matter.  The money is my money; and, by ——­, I mean to look after it.’