"Then I will have Trevanion. Every stick, every field, every jot and tittle will be mine, and you will have to leave the county a vagrant," shrieked the old man. [Pg 36] [Pg 36] "No," I said firmly. "I will go to Endellion on my own account. Possibly the maid might bring me fortune." "But you promised you would not," pleaded young Peter. "I promised nothing of the sort. I said I would tell no man. Neither will I." "But you hate women," he continued; "you have refused your lawyer to marry a woman with money, even although it might save your estates!" I laughed aloud, for this speech was uttered in a whining, yet savage way, just like a dog who is afraid whines, showing its teeth all the time. "I did not know then what I know now," I said with glee, for it was a pleasant thing to see these scheming money-grubs having the worst of a game. They wriggled and twisted finely for some time, and then consented, as I knew they would, for I saw from the beginning that they had concocted a scheme which would mean much profit to them. Besides I believe that young Peter was really much in love with the maid Nancy Molesworth. So Lawyer Hendy was sent for, old Peter trying to ply me with wine the meanwhile. In this he did not succeed, however, for I felt I must not lose my head, and thus be led to do foolish things. We drew up the papers as I had stipulated; they were signed by both Peter and his son, and Lawyer Hendy was given full instructions. On leaving, I took the money old Peter had offered me and counted it carefully. [Pg 37] [Pg 37] "You will do your best, Roger; you will not break your promise?" he said tremulously. "I do not break promises," I replied.
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