"
The passions of the two young men thus counteracting each other
gave Ravenswood leisure to exclaim, in a stern and steady voice:
"Silence!--let him who really seeks danger take the fitting time when
it is to be found; my mission here will be shortly accomplished. Is THAT
your handwriting, madam?" he added in a softer tone, extending towards
Miss Ashton her last letter.
A faltering "Yes" seemed rather to escape from her lips than to be
uttered as a voluntary answer.
"And is THIS also your handwriting?" extending towards her the mutual
engagement.
Lucy remained silent. Terror, and a yet stronger and more confused
feeling, so utterly disturbed her understanding that she probably
scarcely comprehended the question that was put to her.
"If you design," said Sir William Ashton, "to found any legal claim on
that paper, sir, do not expect to receive any answer to an extrajudicial
question."
"Sir William Ashton," said Ravenswood, "I pray you, and all who hear
me, that you will not mistake my purpose. If this young lady, of her own
free will, desires the restoration of this contract, as her letter
would seem to imply, there is not a withered leaf which this autumn wind
strews on the heath that is more valueless in my eyes.
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