However, as you have gone so far with me you may go a step further, and let me know what story you mean to attach to this confession?
How will you feign to have obtained it ?" "The statement I shall make will be this, and it will be borne out by so many corroborative circumstances that it will be impossible to contradict it.

You observe that the document is dated on the 10th of April last.

It is not without reason that it is so dated.

On that day I and our daughter, Lady Roos, attended by her maid, Sarah Swarton, proceeded to the Earl of Exeter's residence at Wimbledon, for the purpose of having an interview with the Countess, and we then saw her in the presence of Lord Roos and his servant Diego." "But you gained nothing by the journey ?" remarked her husband.
"Your pardon, Sir Thomas," she rejoined; "I gained this confession.

On the way back I reflected upon what had occurred, and I thought how flushed with triumph I should have been if, instead of meeting with discomfiture, I had gained my point--if I had brought the haughty Countess to her knees--had compelled her to write out and sign a full avowal of her guilt, coupled with supplications for forgiveness from my injured daughter and myself--and as a refinement of revenge, had forced Lord Roos and his servant to attest by their signatures the truth of the confession! I thought of this--and incensed that I had not done it, resolved it _should_ be done." "An ill resolve!" muttered her husband.
"In Luke Hatton, our apothecary, I had the man for my purpose," pursued Lady Lake.