He could not resist--his will was gone.
"What are the details of your plan?" gasped he, faintly.
"Marry the lady, and take up my abode in this mansion," replied the
attorney, promptly.
"And turn me out of doors! Well, be it so. I must do as you will."
"Nay, nay, my dear sir; you wrong me. You shall still be the honored
inmate of our dwelling,--the affectionate uncle of your Emily, as of
old," said the attorney, with infinite good humor.
Jaspar had well-nigh recovered his self-possession under the stroke of
this, to him, severe satire; but De Guy gave him no time.
"We must proceed in some haste," continued the attorney, seizing a pen,
and writing as he spoke. "My time is short, and I have already been
somewhat lavish of it. Here, sign this paper; it is your consent to my
union with your niece. Call some one to witness it."
Jaspar signed the certificate, without reading it. A witness was called,
and the paper in due form was deposited in De Guy's pocket.
"Now, sir, the lady is not altogether willing to consent to this
arrangement; but you must persuade her, and, if need be, compel her, to
consent.
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