out of
my profound respect and my friendly regard for the mistress of this
house." He turned sharply towards Sir Percival. "Is it absolutely
necessary," he asked "that this thing here, under your elbow, should be
signed to-day?"

"It is necessary to my plans and wishes," returned the other sulkily.
"But that consideration, as you may have noticed, has no influence with
Lady Glyde."

"Answer my plain question plainly. Can the business of the signature
be put off till to-morrow--Yes or No?"

"Yes, if you will have it so."

"Then what are you wasting your time for here? Let the signature wait
till to-morrow--let it wait till you come back."

Sir Percival looked up with a frown and an oath.

"You are taking a tone with me that I don't like," he said. "A tone I
won't bear from any man."

"I am advising you for your good," returned the Count, with a smile of
quiet contempt. "Give yourself time--give Lady Glyde time. Have you
forgotten that your dog-cart is waiting at the door? My tone surprises
you--ha? I dare say it does--it is the tone of a man who can keep his
temper. How many doses of good advice have I given you in my time?
More than you can count. Have I ever been wrong? I defy you to quote
me an instance of it. Go! take your drive. The matter of the
signature can wait till to-morrow. Let it wait--and renew it when you
come back."

Sir Percival hesitated and looked at his watch. His anxiety about the
secret journey which he was to take that day, revived by the Count's
words, was now evidently disputing possession of his mind with his
anxiety to obtain Laura's signature. He considered for a little while,
and then got up from his chair.

"It is easy to argue me down," he said, "when I have no time to answer
you. I will take your advice, Fosco--not because I want it, or believe
in it, but because I can't stop here any longer." He paused, and looked
round darkly at his wife. "If you don't give me your signature when I
come back to-morrow!" The rest was lost in the noise of his opening the
book-case cupboard again, and locking up the parchment once more. He
took his hat and gloves off the table, and made for the door. Laura
and I drew back to let him pass. "Remember to-morrow!" he said to his
wife, and went out.

We waited to give him time to cross the hall and drive away. The Count
approached us while we were standing near the door.

"You have just seen Percival at his worst, Miss Halcombe,"