"Two thousand pounds," said Mallien derisively. "I'm not such a fool. I shan't give Rupert a single penny, and if Dorinda marries him without my consent, which she will never get, she must be prepared to starve." "Dorinda will never starve while I can work," said Rupert calmly. "What at? You have never done a hand's turn in your life." Leigh interposed before Rupert could reply. "Mallien, surely you will not behave so wickedly and selfishly as to keep all the money to yourself." "Yes, I shall. The money is mine, and I shall not give a penny." "You are a bad man," said Leigh slowly. "Pooh! What do I care for your names?" "Nothing. I can see that. However, I may be able to make you care. Dorinda, give me some of that tonic." The vicar's voice was growing weak and his eye closed. Dorinda slipped her arm round his neck and gave him a dose of the medicine which shortly took effect. He opened his eyes again and spoke in a stronger voice. "Are you determined to behave in this unjust way, Mallien?" "It is not unjust, and I do." "You will keep all the money to yourself?" "Every penny." "And--if you can--prevent Dorinda marrying Hendle?" "Yes. She does so at the risk of starvation." "But you may ruin two lives, Mallien." "Pooh! Don't talk rubbish, vicar. I shall do as I like." "You shall not do as you like," said Leigh steadily. "You are an evil and wicked man, although I am too sinful myself to say so. But I thank God that He has permitted me to live and make reparation for my wrongdoing." The vicar fumbled under his pillow and produced an envelope. "Take this, Hendle, and put it into your pocket. No, don't open it now. When I am dead you can learn how deeply I have sinned. And, above all, don't let Mallien get hold of it." Rupert slipped the envelope into the pocket of his coat and smiled grimly although he also looked astonished. "I'll take care of that," he said, with a nod; "but what is the paper about?" "It contains a signed and witnessed confession of my sin." "Your sin." Mallien began to shake in his shoes as there was something very ominous about these proceedings. "Yes. I intended evil, and evil has come of my intention. But thank God I am able to nip my wrongdoing in the bud. Mallien"--the vicar shook a reproving forefinger at the man--"I have given you every chance to behave as a Christian should, but you will not seize the opportunity. Now it is too late, and you must abide by your selfish conduct." "What the devil are you talking about?" "Hush, father, hush! Don't speak like that," cried Dorinda with a shiver. "I shall speak as I like. What does Leigh mean by his nonsense?" "You will not find that paper I have given Hendle nonsense," said Leigh in a faint voice. "It contains an account of my sin and will be your punishment." "Come to the point; come to the point," stuttered Mallien, nervously angry.