chance
of disinheritance, and the certainty of the loss of the woman whom you
want to marry. So well do I know it that I have prepared the necessary
deeds for your signature, and here they are. Listen, sir," he went on
sternly; "refuse to accept my terms and by to-night's post I shall
send this letter of instructions. Also I shall send to Mr. Cossey,
Senior, and to Mr. de la Molle copies of these two precious epistles,"
and he pointed to the incriminating documents, "together with a copy
of the letter to my agents; and where will you be then? Consent, and I
will bind myself not to proceed in any way or form. Now, make your
choice."

"But I cannot; even if I will, I cannot," said he, almost wringing his
hands in his perplexity. "It was on condition of my taking up those
mortgages that Ida consented to become engaged to me, and I have
promised that I will cancel them on our wedding. Will you not take
money instead?"

"Yes," answered Mr. Quest, "I would take money. A little time ago I
would not have taken it because I wanted that property; now I have
changed my ideas. But as you yourself said, your credit is strained to
the utmost, and while your father is alive you will not find it
possible to raise another thirty thousand pounds. Besides, if this
matter is to be settled at all it must be settled at once. I will not
wait while you make attempts to raise the money."

"But about the mortgages? I promised to keep them. What shall I say to
Ida?"

"Say? Say nothing. You can meet them if you choose after your father's
death. Refuse if you like, but if you refuse you will be mad. Thirty
thousand pounds will be nothing to you, but exposure will be ruin.
Have you made up your mind? You must take my offer or leave it. Sign
the documents and I will put the originals of those two letters into
your hands; refuse and I will take my steps."

Edward Cossey thought for a moment and then said, "I will sign. Let me
see the papers."

Mr. Quest turned aside to hide the expression of triumph which flitted
across his face and then handed him the deeds. They were elaborately
drawn, for he was a skilful legal draughtsman, quite as skilful as
many a leading Chancery conveyancer, but the substance of them was
that the mortgages were transferred to him by the said Edward Cossey
in and for the consideration that he, the said William M. Quest,
consented to abandon for ever a pending action for divorce against his
wife, Belle Quest, whereto th