She would not endeavour to entangle the old gentleman in a sentimental attachment which might deliver him over to his enemy.
Threats and even, I am sorry to say, blows refused to move her.
She would have nothing to do with it, and for a time Stapleton was at a deadlock.
"He found a way out of his difficulties through the chance that Sir Charles, who had conceived a friendship for him, made him the minister of his charity in the case of this unfortunate woman, Mrs.Laura Lyons.

By representing himself as a single man he acquired complete influence over her, and he gave her to understand that in the event of her obtaining a divorce from her husband he would marry her.

His plans were suddenly brought to a head by his knowledge that Sir Charles was about to leave the Hall on the advice of Dr.Mortimer, with whose opinion he himself pretended to coincide.

He must act at once, or his victim might get beyond his power.

He therefore put pressure upon Mrs.Lyons to write this letter, imploring the old man to give her an interview on the evening before his departure for London.