"Pardon me, madame, I never said or supposed that after you signed it you were still at liberty to deal with any part; if you have courage to take it back, it is another matter. I won't send you before the Judge Eternal with a sacrilege in your right hand."
He spoke quietly, but very sternly, raising his finger upward, with his eyes fixed upon her, while his dark face looked pale.
She answered only with the same helpless whimper. He beckoned to the nun.
"Let me see that book."
He looked through its pages.
"Read aloud to madame the four first elevations; agony is near."
As he passed from the room, he beckoned the lady in the religious habit again, and whispered in her ear in the lobby:
"Lock this door, and admit none but those you know."
He went down this time to the front drawing-room, and entered it suddenly. Mr. Carmel was seated there, with candles beside him, reading. Down went his book instantly, and he rose.
"Our good friend upstairs won't last beyond three or four hours—possibly five," began Monsieur Droqville. "Garnet will be here in a few minutes; keep the doors bolted! people might come in and disturb the old lady. You need not mind now. I locked the hall-door as I came in. Why don't you make more way with Miss Ware? Her mother is no obstacle—favourable rather. Her father is a mere pagan, and never at home; and the girl likes you."