'He said he was ready to go to prison as soon as you gave the word. But I told him, "No such thing!" I said it must be settled quietly. I told him to leave it to me. He was driven to the forgery, and I thought——'
'Dost mean to say,' the miser shouted, 'as that blasted scoundrel came here and told thee he'd forged a bill, and thou told him to leave it to thee to settle?' Without waiting for an answer, he jumped up and strode to the door, evidently with the intention of examining the forged document for himself.
'It isn't there—it isn't there!' Anna called to him wildly.
'What isna' there?'
'The paper. I may as well tell you, father. I got up early this morning and burnt it.'
The man was staggered at this audacious and astounding impiety.
'It was mine, really,' she continued; 'and I thought——'
'Thou thought!'
Agnes, upstairs, heard that passionate and consuming roar. 'Shame on thee, Anna Tellwright! Shame on thee for a shameless hussy! A daughter o' mine, and just promised to another man! Thou'rt an accomplice in forgery. Thou sees the scamp on the sly! Thou——' He paused, and then added, with furious scorn: 'Shalt speak o' this to Henry Mynors?'
'I will tell him if you like,' she said proudly.