"
"What!" roared Black Milsom, in an infuriated tone. "What, Jenny
Milsom, Honoria, Lady Eversleigh, or whatever you may please to call
yourself, do you think I will stand that? Do you think I will hold my
tongue unless you pay me handsomely to keep silence? You don't know the
kind of man you have to deal with. To-morrow every one in the village
shall know what a high-born lady lives up at the old castle--they shall
know what a dutiful daughter the lady of Raynham is, and how she
suffers her father to tramp barefoot in the mud, while she rides in her
carriage!"
"You may tell them what you please."
"I'll tell them plenty, you may depend upon it."
"Will you tell them how Valentine Jernam came by his death?" asked
Honoria, in a strange tone.
The tramp started, and for a few moments seemed at a loss for words in
which to reply. But he recovered himself very quickly, and exclaimed,
savagely--
"I'm not going to tell them any of your senseless dreams and fancies;
but I mean to tell them who you are. That will be quite enough for
them; and before I do let them know so much, you'd better change your
mind, and act generously towards me."
"Upon that subject I shall never change my mind," answered Honoria
Eversleigh, with perfect self-possession. "You will accept the pension
I offer you, or you will reject it, as you please--you will never
receive more, directly or indirectly, from me," she continued,
presently.
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