"I can almost imagine," she said, with a keen glance at me, "that you have been taking a lesson out of your son's book. You tell me you have not seen him. Is it the truth?" "It is the truth. I am dealing plainly and honestly with you." "You are a true Christian," she said, with a sneer; "good for evil--and such good for such evil! Yet there is something unchristianlike in your threat, too. You would thrust me into the streets?" "As you made me thrust my son. As heaven is my judge, I would do it, in the cause of justice!" "That is one side of your mind; there is another. Suppose I plead guilty; suppose I fall upon my knees before you and confess my sin. My sin! My sins! For they are so many--O, so many!" She said this with a theatrical air, and then spoke in a soberer tone. "That is a proper mode of confession for such a woman as you believe me to be. But without trying to impose upon you, suppose I admit, without any attempt at romance or deceit--for those acts are played out now, are they not? and we come to a winding-up of the plot--suppose I am wicked, and guilty of every charge you bring against me. What would you require me to do?" "First to leave my house, taking with you all that belongs to you--your trinkets, dresses, and ornaments--to leave my house, and never enter it again as long as you live." "But if I died, I might haunt you," she said, with a laugh, "though I assure you I have no intention of dying for a good many years yet. And then?" "To renounce my name--adopt any other you please, it matters not to me, but mine you shall no longer bear." "Really," she said, "the similarity between your conditions and those of your son is very wonderful. It is hardly possible to believe you have not been conspiring--but of course it would not become me to doubt the word of so honourable a gentleman. And then?" "To leave the country for good." "Another coincidence. I was almost inclined myself to suggest it to you. And in payment of these sacrifices, what do you offer?" "An income of twelve hundred pounds a year, secured, to be paid regularly and faithfully to you so long as you do not violate the conditions of the agreement." "Secured by deed?" "Yes, in the manner most agreeable to you. Do you consent?" "What!" she exclaimed. "In a moment! No, indeed, I must have time to ponder, to let the facts sink into my mind, as you said. It is not only _your_ life, _your_ honour, and _your_ welfare that are concerned. It affects me more than it does you, for I am young, and have a long life before me; you are old, and will soon be in your grave. I hope you have no intention of cheating the law, and marrying again. I can stand a great deal, but not that. I am a jealous woman, and really loved you for a few days. You loved me, too, or you lied to me most wickedly. Is there any other woman you wish to serve as you have served me?" "If I were free, I should never marry again."