“Having his heart's blood is very fine, if I was sure—quite sure—he might not have mine. The fellow is a splendid shot.”
“I thought so. I could have sworn it,” cried she, with a taunting laugh.
“I admit no man my superior with a pistol,” said Sewell, stung far more by her laughter than her words; “but what have I to gain if I shoot him? His family would prosecute me to a certainty; and it went devilish close with that last fellow who was tried at Newgate.”
“If you care so little for my honor, sir, I 'll show you how cheaply I can regard yours. I will go back to Sir Brook to-morrow, and return him his money. I will tell him, besides, that I am married to one so hopelessly lost to every sentiment and feeling, not merely of the gentleman, but of the man, that it is needless to try to help him; and that I will accept nothing for him,—not a shilling; that he may deal with you on those other matters he spoke of as he pleases; that it will be no favor shown me when he spares you. There, sir, I leave you now to compute whether a little courage would not have served you better than all your cunning.”
“You do not leave this room till you give me that pocket-book,” said he, rising, and placing his back to the door.
“I foresaw this, sir,” said she, laughing quietly, “and took care to deposit the money in a safe place before I came here. You are welcome to every farthing I have about me.”
“Your scheme is too glaring, too palpable by half. There is a vulgar shamelessness in the way you 'make your book,' standing to win whichever of us should kill the other. I read it at a glance,” said he, as he threw himself into a chair; “but I 'll not help to make you an interesting widow. Are you going? Good-night.”
She moved towards the door? and just as she reached it he arose and said, “On what pretext could I ask this man to meet me? What do I charge him with? How could I word my note to him?”
“Let me write it,” said she, with a bitter laugh. “You will only have to copy it.”
“And if I consent will you do all the rest? Will you go to Fossbrooke and ask him for the increased allowance?”