"Well, let me see your 'document,' as you term it," he said, in a taunting
manner.
"It has been misplaced by some means, but I will find it in time to answer
my purpose."
"Perhaps."
"Durant, you _know_ I have such a paper, and what is the use of denying
it?"
"Again, I repeat, I know no such thing." Then after a pause, he continued:
"We might as well understand each other at once."
He produced a paper, and went on: "Here, I suppose, is the article you
speak of. I see it is in my hand-writing, and lest by any chance it should
again fall into your hands, I will destroy it."
And holding it in the candle, it was soon reduced to ashes. The outwitted
girl sat dumb with astonishment, surprise and dismay, and, for several
seconds, was speechless. When utterance came, she inquired:
"How, in the name of reason, did you get that paper in your possession?"
"I will be frank: I watched you putting it away, and the next day I went
and took it."
"And this is my reward for the signal service you demanded as the price of
that written promise?"
"My continued love will be your reward."
"_Your_ love! Think you, vile miscreant, I would have the base semblance of
affection from such a polluted thing as you? No, sir! Now that I see your
depravity, worlds would not tempt me to wed you, degraded as I am! How I
have remained blinded so long is a mystery I cannot solve, in the
overwhelming light of this hour.
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