"Whom did the lady marry?" persisted Mr. Corbin.
"I will not tell you!" passionately exclaimed his companion. "Oh, why
have I told you anything? Why did I acknowledge that I even knew Mona
Forester? I should not have done so, but you surprised the truth from me,
and I will tell you nothing more. I hated the girl, and though I have
never seen her, I hate the child on her account, and I would not lift
even a finger to help her in any way."
"Are you not unreasonably vindictive, Mrs. Montague?" mildly asked Mr.
Corbin.
"Unreasonable or not, I mean what I say, and Homer Forester's money may
be scattered to the four winds of heaven for any effort that I will make
for Mona Forester's child," was the dogged response.
"Do you not see that I must learn the truth?" the lawyer asked, with some
sternness, "and though I am averse to using threats to a lady, if you
will not tell me voluntarily I shall be obliged to use means to compel
you to reveal what you know."
"Compel me!" repeated Mrs. Montague, confronting him with haughty mien.
"You cannot do that."
"But I can, Mrs. Montague," Mr. Corbin positively asserted. "Since you
have acknowledged so much, and it is evident that you could reveal more,
you can be compelled, by law, to do so under oath.
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