"And you will
not move in the matter."
Maraquito laughed in an evil manner. "Won't I?" she taunted.
"I just will. Hale will do what I want, and he will have
Basil arrested unless you promise to give up this girl and
marry me."
"Hale will do nothing, neither will you," retorted Cuthbert.
"I don't care about threatening a woman, but you must not
think that you are able to play fast and loose with me."
"How can you hurt me?" asked Maraquito with a scornful smile,
although her lips quivered at his tone.
"I can tell Jennings that you are Bathsheba Saul!"
She turned quite pale. "I? My name is Maraquito Gredos."
"It is nothing of the sort. My uncle Lord Caranby came here
and recognized you from your likeness to the woman Emilia he
was once engaged to. He can state that in court."
"Where is his proof?"
"Proof will be forthcoming when necessary."
"Not to prove that I am Bathsheba Saul. I know nothing of the
name."
Cuthbert shrugged his shoulders. He had said what was
necessary and, unwilling to speak further, prepared to go.
Maraquito saw him slipping from her grasp. Once gone, she
knew he would never come back. With a cry of despair she
stretched out her hands. "Cuthbert, do not leave me!" she
cried in anguish.
"I must leave you. I was foolish to come. But you know now,
that if you move in this matter I can move too. I doubt very
much, madam, if your past life will bear looking into.
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