your testimony as to the invalidity of the will would be
conclusive against all the world."

"I would say in a court what I have told you, if that will do any
good."

"It will not be enough. Look here, Kate; you must be steadfast here;
everything depends on you. How often have you told me that you will
stick to me throughout life? Now you will be tried."

Kate felt that her repugnance towards him,--towards all that he was
doing and wished her to do,--was growing stronger within her at every
word he spoke. She was becoming gradually aware that he desired from
her something which she could not and would not do, and she was aware
also that in refusing him she would have to encounter him in all his
wrath. She set her teeth firmly together, and clenched her little
fist. If a fight was necessary, she would fight with him. As he
looked at her closely with his sinister eyes, her love towards him
was almost turned to hatred.

"But that was what you meant when you advised him not to make the
will because you thought his intellect was impaired!"

"No; not so."

"Stop, Kate, stop. If you will think of it, It was so. What is the
meaning of his judgement being weak?"

"I didn't say his judgement was weak."

"But that was what you meant when you advised him not to trust it!"

"Look here, George; I think I know now what you mean. If anybody asks
me if his mind was gone, or his intellect deranged, I cannot say that
there was anything of the kind."

"You will not?"

"Certainly not. It would be untrue."

"Then you are determined to throw me over and claim the property for
yourself." Again he turned towards and looked at her as though he
were resolved to frighten her. "And I am to count you also among my
enemies? You had better take care, Kate."

They were now upon the fell side, more than three miles away from the
Hall; and Kate, as she looked round, saw that they were all alone.
Not a cottage,--not a sign of humanity was within sight. Kate saw
that it was so, and was aware that the fact pressed itself upon her
as being of importance. Then she thought again of her resolution to
fight with him, if any fight were necessary; to tell him, in so many
words, that she would separate herself from him and defy him. She
would not fear him, let his words and face be ever so terrible!
Surely her own brother would do her no bodily harm. And even though
he should do so,--though he should take her roughly by the arm as he
had done to