"I shall be a beggar," said the old man, passionately.
"A beggar!" returned Randall, laughing scornfully.
"Yes," said Peter, with energy. "You promised, when I gave you a thousand dollars,"—his voice faltered as he recalled the sacrifice,—"that you would ask no more. Now, you come back for another sum as large, and it is not yet a year. You shall not have it!" he exclaimed, passionately; "not if I had it fifty times over."
"Bethink you what you are saying, old man," said Randall, menacingly. "Do you know that I can go to Mrs. Codman and denounce you?"
"You will not," said Peter, trembling.
"But I will, unless you comply with my demand. Now what do you say? Better be reasonable, and consent, before I compel you."
"Never!" exclaimed the miser, desperately.
"I will denounce you to the police. Shall I have the money?"
But Peter was no longer to be moved, even by his fears. His love of money overcame every other consideration, and again he exclaimed, "Never!" with all the energy of which he was capable.