“That confidence becomes you,” said Lady Bassett; “and now I have no objection to show you I deserve it. Here is a letter to Mr. Rolfe, by which you may learn I have already placed three thousand pounds to his account, to be laid out by him for your benefit in Australia, where he has many confidential friends; and this is a check for five hundred pounds I drew in your favor yesterday. Do me the favor to take it.” He did her that favor with sparkling eyes. “Now here is the paper I wish you to sign; but your signature will be of little value to me without Mary Meyrick's.” “Oh, she will sign it directly: I have only to tell her.” “Are you sure? Men can be brought to take a dispassionate view of their own interest, but women are not so wise. Take it, and try her. If she refuses, bring her to me _directly._ Do you understand? Otherwise, in one fatal hour, her tongue will ruin _you,_ and destroy me.” Impressed with these words, Reginald hurried to Mrs. Meyrick, and told her, in an off-hand way, she must sign that paper directly. She looked at it and turned very white, but went on her guard directly. “Sign such a wicked lie as that!” said she. “That I never will. You _are_ his son, and Huntercombe shall be yours. She is an unnatural mother.” “Gammon!” said Reginald. “You might as well say a fox is the son of a gander. Come now; I am not going to let you cut my throat with your tongue. Sign at once, or else come to her this moment and tell her so.” “That I will,” said Mary Meyrick, “and give her my mind.” This doughty resolution was a little shaken when she cast eyes upon Lady Bassett, and saw how wan and worn she looked. She moderated her violence, and said, sullenly, “Sorry to gainsay _you,_ my lady, and you so ill, but this is a paper I never can sign. It would rob him of Huntercombe. I'd sooner cut my hand off at the wrist.” “Nonsense, Mary!” said Lady Bassett, contemptuously. She then proceeded to reason with her, but it was no use. Mary would not listen to reason, and defied her at last in a loud voice. “Very well,” said Lady Bassett. “Then since you will not do it my way, it shall be done another way. I shall put my confession in Sir Charles's hands, and insist on his dismissing him from the house, and you from your farm. It will kill me, and the money I intended for Reginald I shall leave to Compton.” “These are idle words, my lady. You daren't.” “I dare anything when once I make up my mind to die.” She rang the bell. Mary Meyrick affected contempt. A servant came to the door. “Request Sir Charles to come to me immediately.” CHAPTER XLIV. “DON'T you be a fool,” said Reginald to his nurse. “Sir Charles will send you to prison for it,” said Lady Bassett. “For what I done along with you?” “Oh, he will not punish his wife; he will look out for some other victim.” “Sign, you d--d old fool!” cried Reginald, seizing Mary Meyrick roughly by the arm.