"Be so good as to return me my papers then," said Saville; "by all means think it over--it is no joke--you had best be prudent; but, in the meantime, let me have my papers--they are my property, not yours." "I will not give them back--they concern me too nearly," said I. "Stay--if you try to take them I shall call your brother. I will not endure your touch, sir;--stand back--these letters are Miss Saville's--I will undertake that no harm shall happen to them, that you shall come to no loss--but I will not give them back." I did not move, but stood within the reach of his arm, fixing my eyes full upon him as I spoke. He could not bear an honest gaze; he stared at me with impotent fury, but he dared not resist me. I saw his terror at the thought of summoning his brother, and how he lowered his voice and drew back his hand at the very mention of the Rector's name. "You are a bold young lady--but I like your spirit," he said, with a scowl which belied his words. "Well, I consent that you shall keep the papers--that is to say, I trust them to your honor;--shall I have your decision to-morrow?" "I cannot tell--I must have time," I said, growing nervous at last, and drawing nearer the door; "have you ever mentioned this?--does Mr. Southcote know?" "You will not tell _him?_" cried Saville fiercely, starting and following me, "you will not be so foolish as to show _him_ your hand before the play begins? I knew women were fools in business, but I did not expect this from you--from you, Mrs. Southcote! you do not mean to pretend you are so loving and true a wife. No, I am not a likely person to have mentioned it--I know my man too well; small evidence I should have had, if it had ever come to his knowledge--I will not permit you to risk my papers in Edgar South--in Harry Southern's hands."