"It would be of no use your sending to the king; there are your title-deeds," said Patience.
"Then I will throw them into the fire; I will have none of it," she said, and she caught at them. But Parson Ewan put his hand on hers.
"Let be, Agnes," he said.
She burst into tears.
"I will not; I tell you I will not!" and she stamped her foot.
A step had come up the gravel path which she had not heard, neither had she seen the figure of a man standing in the doorway; but Patience and Mr. Ewan had both heard and seen, and quietly they turned and left the room.
Agnes, her arms crossed on the table, sobbed with childish anger, repeating: "I will not; I will not!"
"What will you not do, you naughty child?" said a man's voice, and a somewhat heavy hand was laid on her shoulder.
She started, looked up, and saw Reginald standing over her. "I will not be Lady De Lisle," she said.
"Very well," answered Reginald seriously; "I am very sorry if that be your last word, Agnes."