"And lose the price for which I sold my soul? Even Judas had his forty pieces of silver—the more fool he, to throw them away! I could not do this thing, if I would. My soul is bound to my money."
"Pshaw! do not let avarice be your besetting sin. It is a vice too mean for your noble nature."
Jaspar tried to sneer again, but the muscles refused to perform their office. He stood like a convicted demon before his sulphurous master.
"It must be done," said De Guy; "there is no other way."
Jaspar heard the words, and struggled to avoid the conclusion towards which they pointed. The demon bade him yield, and the command was imperative. He could not resist—his will was gone.
"What are the details of your plan?" gasped he, faintly.
"Marry the lady, and take up my abode in this mansion," replied the attorney, promptly.
"And turn me out of doors! Well, be it so. I must do as you will."
"Nay, nay, my dear sir; you wrong me. You shall still be the honored inmate of our dwelling,—the affectionate uncle of your Emily, as of old," said the attorney, with infinite good humor.
Jaspar had well-nigh recovered his self-possession under the stroke of this, to him, severe satire; but De Guy gave him no time.