Down with it, man! And now your signature to this paper ?" "My signature!" Sir Francis cried, reeling from the effect of the wine he had swallowed.

"Nay, my good lord; I can sign nothing that I have not read.

What is it ?" "A blank sheet," Lord Roos rejoined.

"I will fill it up afterwards." "Then, my lord, I refuse--that is, I decline--that is, I had rather not, if your lordship pleases." "But my lordship pleases otherwise.

Give him pen and ink, and set him near the table." This was done; and Sir Francis regarded the paper with swimming eyes.
"Now, your name,--written near the bottom of the sheet," Lord Roos cried.
"'Tis done under com--compulsion; and I pro--protest against it." "Sign, I say," the young nobleman exclaimed, rapping the table peremptorily.
On this, Sir Francis wrote his name in the place indicated.
"Enough!" Lord Roos cried, snatching up the paper.