Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/267

 "As how, for instance?"

"The case of which I speak is an instance. I a man of my standing approached the Surrey Bank, offering as security valuable landed property, he could negotiate a loan with me. I have never forgiven Selwyn's Bank for that rebuff."

"But I understood that your landed property was already mortgaged up to the hilt? You were offering Selwyn's Bank a secondary security."

"My estate was mortgaged, certainly, but it was worth three times the amount of that mortgage. Alexander Corbitt refused a loan simply through his personal dislike of me, but I'll make him sit up before I'm done with him."

"Peter, you are surely not building a bank on the unstable foundation of revenge?"

"Certainly not. Revenge comes by the way. There is in my possession a list of Selwyn's clients. That bank is supported by country gentlemen, and they will be customers of mine before the year is out."

Whether Mackeller would succeed in making Alexander Corbitt sit up or not, he certainly caused Stranleigh to discard his languid air, and assume as perpendicular a seated attitude as the wicker arm-chair would allow.