Mutimer, on the other hand, though fortune helped him to forbearance, saw, or believed he saw, the very essence of all he most hated in this proud-eyed representative of a county family.

His own rough-sculptured comeliness corresponded to the vigour and practicality and zeal of a nature which cared nothing for form and all for substance; the essentials of life were to him the only things in life, instead of, as to Hubert Eldon, the mere brute foundation of an artistic super structure.

Richard read clearly enough the sentiments with which his visitor approached him; who that is the object of contempt does not readily perceive it?
His way of revenging himself was to emphasise a tone of good fellowship, to make it evident how well he could afford to neglect privileged insolence.

In his heart he triumphed over the disinherited aristocrat; outwardly he was civil, even friendly.
Hubert had made this call with a special purpose.
'I am charged by Mrs.Eldon,' he began, 'to thank you for the courtesy you have shown her during my illness.

My own thanks likewise I hope you will accept.