'Pon my word, I mean _that._ I'm sick of all this old racket, it's killing me.

And my title is as good a one as she can find anywhere, and if I'm dipped--rather--her money would pull me straight again, and----" He pauses, struck by something in the Professor's face.
"You mean---- ?" says the latter again, even more slowly.

His eyes are beginning to light.
"Exactly what I have said," sullenly.

"You have heard me." "Yes, I _have_ heard you," cries the professor, flinging aside all restraints and giving way to sudden violent passion--the more violent, coming from one so usually calm and indifferent.

"You have come here to-day to try and get possession, not only of the fortune of a young and innocent girl, but of her body and _soul_ as well! And it is me, _me_ whom you ask to be a party to this shameful transaction.