He was disgusted with Vance.
But though Vance's conduct was disgusting, after all he had told him what he was dying to know.

The antecedents of old Tyson of Thorneytoft had been wrapped in a dull mystery which nobody had ever taken the trouble to penetrate.

He had been in business--that much was known; and as he was highly respectable, it was concluded that his business had been highly respectable too.

And then he had retired for ten years before he came to Thorneytoft.

Those ten years might be considered a season of purification before entering on his solemn career as a country gentleman.