And indeed, there was another complication which had arisen within the last few days and which had startled Mr. Melmotte very much indeed. On a certain morning he had sent for Marie to the study and had told her that he should require her signature in reference to a deed. She had asked him what deed. He had replied that it would be a document regarding money and reminded her that she had signed such a deed once before, telling her that it was all in the way of business. It was not necessary that she should ask any more questions as she would be wanted only to sign the paper. Then Marie astounded him, not merely by showing him that she understood a great deal more of the transaction than he had thought,--but also by a positive refusal to sign anything at all. The reader may understand that there had been many words between them. "I know, papa. It is that you may have the money to do what you like with. You have been so unkind to me about Sir Felix Carbury that I won't do it. If I ever marry the money will belong to my husband!" His breath almost failed him as he listened to these words. He did not know whether to approach her with threats, with entreaties, or with blows. Before the interview was over he had tried all three. He had told her that he could and would put her in prison for conduct so fraudulent. He besought her not to ruin her parent by such monstrous perversity. And at last he took her by both arms and shook her violently. But Marie was quite firm. He might cut her to pieces; but she would sign nothing. "I suppose you thought Sir Felix would have had the entire sum," said the father with deriding scorn.

Now another complication had arisen which had startled Mr. Melmotte very much indeed. One morning he had sent for Marie to the study and had told her that he required her signature for a deed. She had asked him what deed. He had replied that it was a document regarding money, and that she need not ask any more questions as she would be wanted only to sign the paper.
Then Marie astounded him, not merely by showing him that she understood a great deal more of the transaction than he had thought, but also by a refusal to sign anything at all.
"You have been so unkind to me about Sir Felix Carbury that I won't do it," she said. "If I ever marry, the money will belong to my husband!"
His breath almost failed him at these words. He did not know whether to use threats, entreaties, or blows. He tried all three: he told her that he would put her in prison, he besought her not to ruin her parent, and then he shook her violently. But Marie was quite firm. He might cut her to pieces; but she would sign nothing.
