I will die ere I believe it.
You have some secret purpose--what, I cannot guess--but not one word of it is true.' 'Shall I show it you ?' he asked.
'You cannot,' she answered.

'There is no such thing.' 'Incorrigible Sadducee!' he cried.

'Well, I will convert you; you shall see the order.' He moved to a chair where he had thrown his coat, and then drawing forth and holding out a paper, 'Read,' said he.
She took it greedily, and her eye flashed as she perused it.
'Hey!' cried the Baron, 'there falls a dynasty, and it was I that felled it; and I and you inherit!' He seemed to swell in stature; and next moment, with a laugh, he put his hand forward.

Give me the dagger,' said he.
But she whisked the paper suddenly behind her back and faced him, lowering.

'No, no,' she said.