"Aware of his marvellous talent for imitating any writing he pleased--aware, also, that I could entirely rely upon him, I resolved to call in his aid." "Imprudent woman! You have placed yourself wholly in his power," groaned Sir Thomas.

"Suppose he should betray the terrible trust you have reposed in him ?" "He will not betray it," replied Lady Lake.

"He is too deeply implicated in the matter not to keep silence for his own sake.

But to proceed.

The document, such as you see it, was drawn out by myself and transcribed by Luke Hatton, and the writing so admirably counterfeited that Lady Exeter herself may well doubt if it be not her own.