“Well, really,” said Edith, “Captain--a--Dudleigh, all this is excessively childish. By such an absurd preamble as this you, of course, must mean something. All this, however, can have no possible effect on me, for the simple reason that I consider it spoken for effect. I hope, therefore, that you will be kind enough to come at once to business, and say precisely what it is that you want of me.” “It is no absurd preamble,” said Leon, gloomily. “It is not nonsense, as I could soon show you. There is no human being who has done so much wrong to you and yours as this Wiggins, yet you quietly allow him to be your guardian.” “I?” said Edith. “I allow him? Let me be free, and then you will see how long I allow him.” “But I mean here--in Dalton Hall.” “I do not allow him any thing. I am simply a prisoner. He is my jailer, and keeps me here.” “You need not be so.” “Pray how can I escape?” “By siding with me.” “With you?” asked Edith--“and what then?” “Well, if you side with me I will drive him out.” “You seem incapable of understanding,” said Edith, “that of the two, you yourself, both by nature and by position, are by far the more abhorrent to me. Side with you! And is this the proposal you have to make?” “I tell you that you are in no danger from me, and that you are from him.” “Really, as far as danger is concerned, my prospects with Wiggins are far preferable to my prospects with you.” “But you don't know him. He has done terrible things--deeds of horror.” “And you--what have you done? But perhaps I have mistaken you. When you ask me to side with you, you may perhaps mean that I shall be at liberty, and that when you expel Wiggins you will allow me to go also.” At this Leon looked down in evident embarrassment. “Well--not--yet,” he said, slowly. “In time, of course; but it can not all be done just at once, you know.” “What can not be done at once?” “Your--your freedom.” “Why not?” “Well, there are--a--certain difficulties in the way.” “Then what can I gain by siding with you? Why should I cast off Wiggins, and take a new jailer who has done to me a wrong far more foul and far more intolerable than any that Wiggins ever attempted?” “But you mistake me. I intend to let you go free, of course--that is, in time.” “In time!” “Yes; every thing can not be done in a moment.” “This is mere childishness. You are trifling. I am astonished that you should speak in this way, after what you know of me.” “But I tell you I will set you free--only I can not do that until I get what I want.” “And what is it that you want?” “Why, what I married you for.” “What is that?” “Money,” said Leon, abruptly. “Money,” repeated Edith, in surprise. “Yes, money,” said Leon, harshly. “You must really apply to Wiggins, then,” said she, carelessly. “No; you yourself are the only one to whom I must apply.”