Then Dr. Arnot began to bluster and to threaten. He was not at all sure, he affirmed, that mademoiselle was Dr. Winthrop’s wife—such a statement may have been a plot on his part to secure her freedom, and he would not allow her to leave the institution without the sanction of madam, her mother; he would call in the officers of the law to protect his interests and sustain his authority; monsieur should be arrested, and much more after the same style, and poured out only as a voluble Frenchman can pour out his wrath. Dr. Winthrop listened calmly until he became exhausted—from want of breath rather than words—then he replied, with cool self-possession: “It will be very easy for me to prove that your late patient, or rather prisoner, is my wife, as I happen to have in my possession an important document which cannot be contested. I refer to the certificate of our marriage which I slipped into a pocket of my note-book the day it was given to me, and there it has remained ever since.” He drew forth his note-book as he spoke, found the certificate, and passed it to his companion, who saw at once that it was a legal and properly attested document. He read the name Salome Howland as being the lady who had been united to Dr. Winthrop, and he could not doubt because he had seen the same one written upon the letter of credit which Salome had shown to him, more than once, in her efforts to purchase her liberty. It was hard to admit himself beaten, however, and he snarled out: “But I am not sure that they are one and the same individual. I do not believe monsieur.” “That I can easily prove also, for there are several people on this continent who know the lady well,” quietly returned her companion, “and it will be well for you if you will allow me to take her peaceably from this place. I assure you, sir, you will make serious trouble for yourself if you attempt to detain her. It will be wiser, Dr. Arnot,” he concluded meaningly, “for you to assist rather than oppose me in this. And as for Mrs. Winthrop being Mrs. Rochester’s daughter, there is no truth in the statement; that was simply told to trick you into the belief that the lady possessed lawful authority over her.” Dr. Arnot could not fail to perceive that the young physician had the best of the argument, and he wisely resolved to make no further objection to the departure of his recent patient. “What reason can you assign for madam’s plot against the lady?” he inquired, with some curiosity.