"Yes—or no, without further wrangling? You must be well aware that this sacrifice is necessary if the girl is worth having."
"In the name of heaven, allude not to—to—to Miss—— to the young lady with whom you saw me ere now;—allude not to her in this disgraceful manner!" cried Markham; for when the lips of that horrible man framed a sentiment which bore reference to Isabella, it seemed to Richard as if a loathsome serpent was pouring its slimy venom upon a sweet and blooming flower.
"Will you give me the money?" demanded the Resurrection Man.
"I will give you two hundred pounds—I have no more—I can get no more—I will not raise any more upon my property."
"Can't be done," returned the ruffian. "I will have the five hundred, or nothing."
"It will take some days to procure the money," said Markham, yielding gradually.
"Never mind. Give me what you have about you for my present purposes, and name the day and place for me to receive the rest."
Markham took his purse from his pocket, and examined its contents. There were seventeen sovereigns at that moment at his command. He retained two, and handed fifteen to the Resurrection Man, who pocketed them with savage glee.
"Now this looks like business," said he, "and is an earnest that you will do the thing that's right. Where and when for the remainder?"
"In a fortnight I will meet you at any place you may name in London," answered Markham.