"Was it just in you, sir," returned Mr. Harrison, with equal sternness, "to take a bribe for the betrayal of your client, whose cause you might have gained?" "It was as right as for you to offer it," retorted Dunbar. "You are answered," said the old man, coldly. "I have your receipt, and mean to hold it against you." "But do you think I will not cite you before the court to answer in this matter?" returned the lawyer. "The receipt was fraudulently obtained and cannot stand. Its very tenor expresses its character. I will swear that you refused to pay me a sum of money due, unless I would sign the receipt you have produced." "Very well, Mr. Dunbar, I will meet you, and require you to show, that this receipt was not intended to cover an anticipatory payment of this very legacy belonging to the woman who was to become your wife in a few days. What other transaction involving so heavy an amount would lie between us? This will, of course, be asked, and I will leave you to answer it to the satisfaction of the court; and I will take good care that the answer be fully reported for publication in the daily press." Harrison looked the young lawyer in the face steadily, while he slowly repeated these sentences in a firm voice— "I don't see that it will place you in any more favorable light than it will me," said Dunbar, after a moment's reflection. "If you are willing to brave public opinion, I think I needn't shrink from it." "As you please," returned the old man, indifferently. "I rather think that I shall be able to make out a plain case for myself. So, if you intend going to law about this business, I hope you will begin at once, and be done with it." "I am to understand, then, that you will not settle the estate of your ward according to the provisions of her father's will?" "No: you are to understand that I have already settled it, and that I hold your receipt for the full sum thereof." "A thing that I deny." "A man may deny anything he pleases, and especially a man like you, who would betray, for gain, the interests of his client. No doubt your practice would vastly increase after the beautiful exposé that will be made when you sue for your wife's estate. You are the young man I heard it prophesied, some years ago, would rise in the world. Truly, you are going up with astonishing celerity." "Mr. Harrison, I will bear insult from no man! not even from one as old as yourself," said the lawyer, passionately. "Do I insult you? I presumed that you would take what I said as a compliment. But if you don't like my plain way of speaking, I think you had better leave me. I have no wish for a continuance of your company. I know you too well." At this retort, the lawyer turned on his heel and left the presence of the man who knew him too well. "The biter got bit that time. I thought I would be too sharp for him," said Harrison, smiling inwardly.