"Yes; every thing can not be done in a moment."
"This is mere childishness. You are trifling. I am astonished that you should speak in this way, after what you know of me."
"But I tell you I will set you free--only I can not do that until I get what I want."
"You must really apply to Wiggins, then," said she, carelessly.
"No; you yourself are the only one to whom I must apply."
"To me? I have no money whatever. It is of no use for me to inform you that Wiggins is all-powerful here. I thought by your professed knowledge of his wonderful secrets that you had some great power over him, and could get from him whatever you want."
"Never mind what you thought," growled Leon. "I come to you, and you only, and I ask you for money."
"By signing your name to a paper, a simple paper, which I can use. Your signature is necessary to effect what I wish."
"My signature? Ah! And what possible inducement can you offer me for my signature?"
"Very well. Will you drive me to the village at once?"
"Well, not just at once, you know. You must remain here a short time, and go through certain formalities and routine work, and attest certain things before a lawyer."
"What a simpleton you must still think me! How easy you must think it is to impose upon me! Perhaps you think me so credulous, or so much in the habit of confiding in you, that no such thing as doubt ever enters my mind."
"I tell you I must have it," he cried, in excited tones. "I must have it--by fair means or foul."
"But of the two ways I _presume_ you have a preference for the latter," said Edith.
"I tell you I must and will have it," reiterated Leon.
"I don't see how you can get my signature very well--unless you forge it; but then I suppose that will not stand in your way."
"Now by all that is most holy," cried Leon, vehemently, "you make me hate you even worse than I hate Wiggins."
"Really, these feelings of yours are a subject in which I do not take the smallest interest."
"I tell you," cried Leon, struggling to repress his rage, "if you sign this paper you shall be free."
"Let me be free first, and then I will think about it."
"If you get free you'll refuse to sign," said Leon.
"But if I were to sign first I should never be free."
"You shall be free. I promise you on the honor of a gentleman," cried Leon, earnestly.