You certainly must not return it under a threat,--even though the woman should be starving.

There can be no circumstances--' and as he spoke he dashed his hand down upon the table,--'no circumstances in which a man should allow money to be extorted from him by a threat.

For Hester's sake you must not do that.' 'No;--no; I must not do that, of course.' 'And now tell me what is true ?' There was something of authority in the tone of his voice, something perhaps of censure, something too of doubt, which went much against the grain with Caldigate.

He had determined to tell his story, feeling that counsel was necessary to him, but he wished so to tell it as to subject himself to no criticism and to admit no fault.

He wanted assistance, but he wanted it on friendly and sympathetic terms.