the world must be
drawn up or examined by a lawyer that she shall appoint, and must be
placed in her hands on the same hour that gives my hand to Dr. Grimshaw.
Do you understand? Now, uncle, that is my ultimatum! For, please the
heavens above us! come what may! do what you will! turn me and my mother
out of doors, to freeze and starve--I will die, and see her die, before
I will sell my hand for a less price than will make her independent and
at ease for life! For, look you, I would rather see her dead, than leave
her in your power! Think of this, uncle! There is time enough to-morrow
and next day to make all the arrangements; only be sure I am in earnest!
Look in my face! Am I not in earnest?"

"I think you are, you little wretch! I could shake the life out of you!"

"That would be easy, uncle! There is not much to shake out. Only, in
that case, you would have no stalking-horse to take the estate over to
Dr. Grimshaw." And so saying, Jacquelina arose to leave the room.

"Come back here--you little vixen, you!"

Sans Souci returned.

"It's well to 'strike while the iron's hot,' and to bind you while
you're willing to be bound, for you are an uncertain little villain.
Though I don't believe you'd break a solemn pledge once given--hey?"

"No, sir!"

"Pledge me your word of honor, now, that if I buy this little farm of
Locust Hill, and settle it upon your mother, you will marry Dr. Grimshaw
on this coming Christmas Eve?"

"I pledge you my word of honor that I will"

"Without mental reservation?"

"Without mental reservation!"

"Stop! it is safer to seal such a pledge! Climb up on the stand, and
hand me that Bible down off the top shelf. Brush the cobwebs off it, and
don't let the spiders come with it."

Jacquelina did as she was bid, with a half indifferent, half disdainful
air.

"There! Now lay your hand upon this book, and swear by the Holy
Evangelists of Almighty God that you will do as you have pledged
yourself to do."

"I swear," said Jacquelina.

"Very well! Now, confound you! you may put the book back again, and go
about your business."

Sans Souci very willingly complied. And then, as she left the room and
closed the door after her, her quick ear caught the sound of the
commodore's voice, chuckling:

"So! I've trapped you! Ten minutes more, and it would have been
impossible."

Full of wonder as to what his words might mean, doubting also whether
she had heard them aright, Jacquelina was has