Hornblower.  A fine price, and me six thousand out of pocket.  Na, no!  I’ll keep it and hold it over ye.  Ye daren’t tell this secret so long as I’ve got it.

Mrs. H. No, Mr. Hornblower.  On second thoughts, you must sell.  You broke your word over the Jackmans.  We can’t trust you.  We would rather have our place here ruined at once, than leave you the power to ruin it as and when you like.  You will sell us the Centry and Longmeadow now, or you know what will happen.

Hornblower. [Writhing] I’ll not.  It’s blackmail.

Mrs. H. Very well then!  Go your own way and we’ll go ours.  There is no witness to this conversation.

Hornblower. [Venomously] By heaven, ye’re a clever woman.  Will ye swear by Almighty God that you and your family, and that agent of yours, won’t breathe a word of this shockin’ thing to mortal soul.

Mrs. H. Yes, if you sell.

Hornblower.  Where’s Dawker?

Mrs. H. [Going to the door, Right] Mr. Dawker

     [Dawker comes in.]

Hornblower.  I suppose ye’ve got your iniquity ready.

     [Dawker grins and produces the document.]

It’s mighty near conspiracy, this.  Have ye got a Testament?

Mrs. H. My word will be enough, Mr. Hornblower.

Hornblower.  Ye’ll pardon me—­I can’t make it solemn enough for you.

Mrs. H. Very well; here is a Bible.

     [She takes a small Bible from the bookshelf.]

Dawker. [Spreading document on bureau] This is a short conveyance of the Centry and Longmeadow—­recites sale to you by Miss Mulling, of the first, John Hillcrist of the second, and whereas you have agreed for the sale to said John Hillcrist, for the sum of four thousand five hundred pounds, in consideration of the said sum, receipt whereof, you hereby acknowledge you do convey all that, etc.  Sign here.  I’ll witness.

Hornblower [To Mrs. Hillcrist] Take that Book in your hand, and swear first.  I swear by Almighty God never to breathe a word of what I know concerning Chloe Hornblower to any living soul.

Mrs. H. No, Mr. Hornblower; you will please sign first.  We are not in the habit of breaking our word.

     [Hornblower after a furious look at them, seizes a pen, runs
     his eye again over the deed, and signs, Dawker witnessing.]

To that oath, Mr. Hornblower, we shall add the words, “So long as the Hornblower family do us no harm.”

Hornblower. [With a snarl] Take it in your hands, both of ye, and together swear.

Mrs. H. [Taking the Book] I swear that I will breathe no word of what I know concerning Chloe Hornblower to any living soul, so long as the Hornblower family do us no harm.