“I trust, Sir Wingrave, that you are satisfied with this account of our stewardship,” the solicitor said, as his clerk left the room.  “We have felt it a great responsibility at times, but everything seems to have turned out very well.  The investments, of course, are all above suspicion.”

“Perfectly satisfied, I thank you,” was the quiet reply.  “You seem to have studied my interests in a very satisfactory manner.”

Mr. Rocke had other things to say, but his client’s manner seemed designed to create a barrier of formality between them.  He hesitated, unwilling to leave, yet finding it exceedingly difficult to say the things which were in his mind.  He temporized by referring back to matters already discussed, solely for the purpose of prolonging the interview.

“You have quite made up your mind, then, to put the Tredowen property on the market,” he remarked.  “You will excuse my reminding you of the fact that you have large accumulated funds in hand, and nearly a hundred thousand pounds worth of easily realizable securities.  Tredowen has been in your mother’s family for a good many years, and I should doubt whether it will be easily disposed of.”

The man at the head of the table raised his head.  He looked steadily at the lawyer, who began to wish that he had left the room with his clerk.  Decidedly, Sir Wingrave Seton was not an easy man to get on with.

“My mind is quite made up, thank you, on this and all other matters concerning which I have given you instructions,” was the calm reply.  “I have had plenty of time for consideration,” he added drily.

The lawyer had his opening at last, and he plunged.

“Sir Wingrave,” he said, “we were at college together, and our connection is an old one.  You must forgive me if I say how glad I am to see you here, and to know that your bad time is over.  I can assure you that you have had my deepest sympathy.  Nothing ever upset me so much as that unfortunate affair.  I sincerely trust that you will do your best now to make up for lost time.  You are still young, and you are rich.  Let us leave business alone now, for the moment.  What can I do for you as a friend, if you will allow me to call you so?”

Wingrave turned slightly in his chair.  In his altered position, a ray of sunshine fell for the first time upon his gaunt but striking face.  Lined and hardened, as though by exposure and want of personal care, there was also a lack of sensibility, an almost animal callousness, on the coldly lit eyes and unflinching mouth, which readily suggested some terrible and recent experience—­something potent enough to have dried up the human nature out of the man and left him soulless.  His clothes had the impress of the ready-made, although he wore them with a distinction which was obviously inherent; and notwithstanding the fact that he seemed to have been writing, he wore gloves.

“I am much obliged to you, Rocke,” he said.  “Let me repeat your question.  What is there that you can do for me?”