"Now, let me tell you, then--as a friend, mind--how I am situated. It is vital to me that we should be married at once, and you must see as a woman, that for her reputation's sake, after being here with me so long, she ought to give up all opposition. Now, you see that--" "I'd have said `Yes' to it yesterday, sir," said the woman, firmly; "but I can't say it to-night." "Nonsense! I tell you it is for her benefit. I only want her to feel that further resistance is useless. There, now, I have spoken out to you. You see it is for the best. To-morrow or next day we shall be married by special license. I have made all the arrangements." "Then, now go and make all the arrangements for the poor dear's funeral, you bad, wicked wretch!" cried the woman passionately, as she sank on her knees and clasped Kate about the waist. "Oh, my poor dear, my poor dear, he has murdered you!" "Silence, idiot!" cried Garstang, in a fierce whisper. "Can't you see that she is only asleep?" "Asleep? Do you call this sleep? Look at her poor staring eyes. Feel her hands.--No, no, keep back. You shan't touch her." She turned upon him with so savage and cat-like a gesture that he stopped short with his brows rugged and his hands clenched. There was a few moments' pause, but the woman did not wince; and Garstang felt more than ever that he must temporise again. He burst into a mocking laugh. "Oh, you silly woman," he said. "All this nonsense about a girl's holding off for a time. You've often heard her say how she liked me. You know she came here of her own free will. And I know you feel that I mean to marry her as soon as I can persuade her to come to the church. What a storm you are making about nothing! She has taken something. Well, you consented to its being given her; and you are going as frantic as if I had poisoned her." "I know, I know," cried the woman, "and I was a vile wretch to consent to help you." "Stuff and nonsense, Sarah, old friend. Now look here; suppose instead of its being a harmless sleeping draught, it had been the effect of her drinking an extra glass or two of champagne. Would you have gone on then like this?" "It's of no use for you to talk; I know what a smooth winning tongue you've got, as would bring a bird down out of a tree; but I know you thoroughly now; and Becky was right; you're a base man, and you did worry and worry poor dear Mr Jenour till he shot himself. You robbed him till you'd got everything that was his, and now you've murdered this poor darling girl." "That will do," cried Garstang, stung now to the quick. "If you will be a fool you must suffer for it. Now, listen to me, woman; this is my house, and this is my wife. She came to me, and she is mine. I have told you that I will take her to the church. Now, go up to your room--I am desperate now--and if you dare to make a sound or to leave it till to-morrow morning, I'll shoot you and your girl too."