“You quite understand, Sir Percival,” the lawyer went on. “Lady Glyde is to sign her name in the presence of a witness⁠—or of two witnesses, if you wish to be particularly careful⁠—and is then to put her finger on the seal and say, ‘I deliver this as my act and deed.’ If that is done in a week’s time the arrangement will be perfectly successful, and the anxiety will be all over. If not⁠—”

“What do you mean by ‘if not’?” asked Sir Percival angrily. “If the thing

must

be done it