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not admit at once that, Bernice-like, you freely offered up your beautiful hair as love's sacrifice?"
He spoke hotly, and an ungovernable rage possessed him as he realized that though so near, and apparently so helpless, she was yet so immeasurably removed, so utterly inaccessible. Her drooping white lids lifted; she looked steadily up at him, and the mournful eyes held no hint of denial. He stretched his hand across the table, and all the gnawing hunger at his heart leaped into his voice, that trembled with entreaty.
"For God's sake give me your hand just once, as proof that you forgive my share in this cruel, dastardly outrage."
"Do not touch me. When we shake hands it must be as seal upon a very sacred compact, which you are not yet ready to make."
She straightened herself, and her hands were removed from the table; fell to stroking the cat lying on her knee.
"What conditions would you impose upon me?"
"Sit down, Mr. Dunbar, and let us transact the necessary business which alone made this interview possible."
With an imperious gesture, befitting some sovereign who reluctantly accords audience, she motioned him to the chair, and as he seated himself his eyes gleamed ominously.
"It pleases you to ignore our past relations?"
"Even so. To-day we meet merely as attorney and client to arrange the final QUID PRO QUO. You have brought the paper?"
"I inferred from your message that you desired as exact a copy as memory permitted. Here it is."
He took from his pocket a long legal envelope.
"I believe you stated that your father originally drew up this paper, and that recently you altered and re-wrote it?"
"Those are the facts relative to it."
"Can you recall the date of the revision?"
"Nearly a year ago. Last May it was signed in the presence of Doctor Ledyard and Colonel Powell, who also signed as witnesses, though ignorant of its contents."
"You offer me this as a correct expression of Gen'l Darrington's wis