“I know,” said she, smiling dubiously. “You hurt it in the riding-school; but it's a mere nothing, is it not?” I made a gesture of assent, not altogether pleased the while at the little sympathy she vouchsafed me, and the insignificance she ascribed to my wound. “Shall I write for you, then? you can sign it afterwards.'' “Let me first know what you would have me say.” “Dear father--You always addressed him that way?” “Yes.” “Dear father,--I have been here some days, awaiting Count Hunyadi's return to transact some matters of business with him, and have by a mere accident learned that you are amongst his guests. As I do not know how, to what extent, or in what capacity it may be your pleasure to recognize me, or whether it might not chime better with your convenience to ignore me altogether, I write now to submit myself entirely to your will and guidance, being in this, as in all things, your dutiful and obedient son.” The words came from her pen as rapidly as her fingers could move across the paper; and as she finished, she pushed it towards me, saying,-- “There--put 'Digby Norcott' there, and it is all done!” “This is a matter to think over,” said I, gravely. “I may be compromising other interests than my own by signing this.” “Those Jews of yours have imbued you well with their cautious spirit, I see,” said she, scoffingly. “They have taught me no lessons I am ashamed of, Madam,” said I, reddening with anger. “I declare I don't know you as the Digby of long ago! I fancied I did, when I heard those ladies coming upstairs each night, so charmed with all your graceful gifts, and so eloquent over all your fascinations; and now, as you stand there, word-splitting and phrase-weighing, canvassing what it might cost you to do this or where it would lead you to say that, I ask myself, Is this the boy of whom his father said, 'Above all things he shall be a gentleman'?” “To one element of that character, Madam, I will try and preserve my claim,--no provocation shall drive me to utter a rudeness to a lady.” “This is less breeding than calculation, young gentleman. I read such natures as yours as easily as a printed book.” “I ask nothing better, Madam; my only fear would be that you should mistake me, and imagine that any deference to my father's views would make me forget my mother's rights.” “So then,” cried she, with a mocking laugh, “you have got your courage up so far,--you dare me! Be advised, however, and do not court such an unequal contest. I have but to choose in which of a score of ways I could crush you,--do you mark me? crush you! You will not always be as lucky as you were this morning in the riding-school.” “Great heaven!” cried I, “was this, then, of _your_ devising?” “You begin to have a glimpse of whom you have to deal with? Go back to your room and reflect on that knowledge, and if it end in persuading you to quit this place at once, and never return to it, it will be a wise resolve.”