. "That would be terrible.
It is unfair. You should think--think--" Her voice grows husky and
uncertain. She stops abruptly.

"Don't be uneasy about that," says he. "I shall take care that my death,
when it occurs, is made known to you as soon as possible. Your mind
shall be relieved on that score with as little delay as I can manage.
The welcome news shall be conveyed to you by a swift messenger."

She flings the pen upon the writing table, and turns away.

"Insult me to the last if you will!" she says; "but consider your son.
He loves you. He will desire news of you from time to time. It is
impossible that you can put him out of your life as you have put me."

"It appears you can be unjust to the last," says he, flinging her own
accusation back at her. "Have I put you out of my life?"

"Ah! was I ever in it?" says she. "But--you will write?"

"No. Not a line. Once for all I break with you. Should my death occur
you will hear of it. And I have arranged so, that now and after that
event you and the boy will have your positions clearly defined. That is
all you can possibly require of me. Even if you marry again your
jointure will be secured to you."

"Baltimore!" exclaims she, turning upon him passionately. She seems to
struggle with herself for words. "Has marriage proved so sweet a thing?"
cries she presently, "that I should care to try it again? There! Go! I
shall sign none of these things." She makes a disdainful gesture towards
the loose papers lying on the table, and moves angrily away.

"You have your son to consider."

"Your son will inherit the title and the property without those papers."

"There are complications, however, that perhaps you do not understand."

"Let them lie there. I shall sign nothing."

"In that case you will probably find yourself immersed in troubles of
the meaner kinds after my departure. The child cannot inherit until
after my death and----"

"I don't care," says she, sullenly. "Go, if you will. I refuse to
benefit by it."

"What a stubborn woman you are," cries he, in great wrath. "You have for
years declined to acknowledge me as your husband. You have by your
manner almost commanded my absence from your side; yet now when I bring
you the joyful news that in a short time you will actually be rid of me,
you throw a thousand difficulties in my path. Is it that you desire to
keep me near you for the purposes of torture? It is too late for that.
You have gone a trifle too far