'I had rather die than do so.'

'You are not frantic enough to want to do it out of your own money? I
say, give me those papers.'

He stooped and stretched out the powerful hand and arm, which when only
half-grown had been giant-like in struggles with his tiny sister but she
only laid her two hands on the paper, with just sufficient resistance to
make it a matter of strength on his side. They were man and woman, and
what availed his muscles against her will? It came to parley. 'Now,
Lucy, I have a right to think for you. As your brother, I cannot permit
you to throw your substance to the dogs.'

'As your sister, I cannot allow you to rest dishonoured.'

'Not a whit more than any of your chosen friends. Every man leaves debts
at Oxford. The extortion is framed on a scale to be unpaid.'

'Let it be! There shall be no stain on the name that once was my
father's, if there be on the whole world beside.'

'Then,' with some sulkiness, 'you won't be content without beggaring me
of my trumpery twenty-five hundred as soon as I am of age?'

'Not at all. Your child must live on that. Only one person can pay your
debts without dishonouring you, and that is your elder sister.'

'Elder donkey,' was the ungrateful answer. 'Why, what would become of
you? You'd have to be beholden to Honor for the clothes on your back!'

'I shall not go back to Honor; I shall earn my own livelihood.'

'Lucilla, are you distracted, or is it your object to make me so?'

'Only on one condition could I return to the Holt,' said Lucilla,
resolutely. 'If Honor would freely offer to receive your son, I would go
to take care of him. Except for his sake, I had rather she would not. I
will not go to be crushed with pardon and obligation, while you are
proscribed. I will be independent, and help to support the boy.'

'Sure,' muttered Owen to himself, 'Lucifer is her patron saint. If I
looked forward to anything, it was to her going home tame enough to make
some amends to poor, dear Sweet Honey, but I might as well have hoped it
of the panther of the wilderness! I declare I'll write to Honor this
minute.'

He drew the paper before him. Lucilla started to her feet, looking more
disgusted and discomfited than by any former shock. However, she managed
to restrain any dissuasion, knowing that it was the only right and proper
step in his power, and that she could never have looked Robert in the
face again had she prevented the confessio