Also he revered his brother-in-law, the polished and splendid-looking Colonel, although it was true that sometimes he writhed beneath his military and aristocratic heel.

Particularly, indeed, did he resent, in his secret heart, those continual sarcasms about his taste in architecture.
Now, although the monetary transactions between them had been many, as luck would have it--entirely without his own design--they chanced in the main to have turned to his, Porson's, advantage.

Thus, owing chiefly to his intelligent development of its possibilities, the land which he bought from the Monk estate had increased enormously in value; so much so, indeed, that, even if he lost all the other sums advanced upon mortgage, he would still be considerably to the good.

Therefore, as it happened, the Colonel was really under no obligations to him.

In these circumstances, Mr.Porson did not quite know how a cold-blooded offer of an advance of cash without security--in practice a gift--would be received.
"Have you anything definite in your mind ?" he hesitated, timidly.
The Colonel reflected.