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And indeed, there was another complication which had arisen within the last few days and which had startled Mr Mel he had sent for Marie to the study and had told her that he should require her signature in reference to a deed She had asked hiarding ned such a deed once before, telling her that it was all in the way of business It was not necessary that she should ask any n the paper Then Marie astounded hireat deal ht,--but also by a positive refusal to sign anything at all The reader may understand that there had been many words between them 'I know, papa It is that you may have the money to do what you like with You have been so unkind to me about Sir Felix Carbury that I won't do it If I everto my husband!' His breath almost failed him as he listened to these words He did not knohether to approach her with threats, with entreaties, or with blows Before the intervieas over he had tried all three He had told her that he could and would put her in prison for conduct so fraudulent He besought her not to ruin her parent by such monstrous perversity And at last he took her by both arht cut her to pieces; but she would sign nothing 'I suppose you thought Sir Felix would have had the entire su scorn

'And he would;--if he had the spirit to take it,' answered Marie

This was another reason for sticking to the Nidderdale plan He would no doubt lose the i so he would secure the Marquis He was therefore induced, on weighing in his nicest-balanced scales the advantages and disadvantages, to leave the Longestaffes unpaid and to let Nidderdale have the money Not that he could make up histhe best for hireat! But at the present moment audacity recommended itself to him, and this was the boldest stroke Marie had now said that she would accept Nidderdale,--or the sweep at the crossing