'I said ten,' said the squire.

'Ten thousand pounds is a very large sum of money. There is no doubt
he'll let you have it. Scatcherd will let you have it; but I know
he'll expect to have the title deeds.'

'What! for ten thousand pounds?' said the squire. 'There is not a
registered debt against the property but his own and Armstrong's.'

'But his own is very large already.'

'Armstrong's is nothing; about four-and-twenty thousand pounds.'

'Yes; but he comes first, Mr Gresham.'

'Well, what of that? To hear you talk, one would think that there was
nothing left of Greshamsbury. What's four-and-twenty thousand
pounds? Does Scatcherd know what rent-roll is?'

'Oh, yes, he knows it well enough: I wish he did not.'

'What he means is, that he must have ample security to cover what he
has already advanced before he goes on. I wish to goodness you had no
further need to borrow. I did think that things were settled last
year.'

'Oh if there's any difficulty, Umbleby will get it for me.'

'Yes; and what will you have to pay for it?'