“You will not?” asked the gentleman.
“I will not.”
“Then hear what you have to expect, madam. Hear it, and then take time to consider once more.”
“I have no time to spare,” she replied. “I start for London early in the morning; and my preparations are not complete.”
“You must hear me, however,” said the gentleman. “If you do not yield your husband will immediately and irrevocably put you to open shame.”
“He cannot,” she replied. “I have no shame. I have the advantage of him there.”
“You have, however, personal liberty at present. You have that to lose,—and life, madam. You have that to lose.”
Lady Carse caught at the table, and leaned on it to support herself. It was not from fear about her liberty or life; but because there was a cruel tone in the utterance of the last words, which told her that it was Lord Lovat who was threatening her; and she was afraid of him.
“I have shaken you now,” said he. “Come: give me the letter.”