'I am come instead of your sister,' Mr Bayfield said, and pitying Bryda's face of alarm, he said, 'Nothing is wrong. I am only come here to claim your promise. Easter has come and is nearly gone. I am prepared to bury the very remembrance of the debt. I am prepared to leave your grandfather a free man for the rest of his life, and give him a written pledge of this, if you will consent to be mine.' Bryda started back. The helplessness of her position came over her. Alone on that lonely hillside--alone, and with no hope of escape. 'Hearken, fairest and dearest,' Mr Bayfield began, 'I am not one to be turned from anything I have set my heart on. I _mean_ to have you, and so,' he said with emphasis, 'you had best come to me graciously.' 'I did _not_ promise,' Bryda said firmly. 'It is cowardly in you, sir, to try to put me thus in the wrong.' 'Now, now, fair lady, that is going too far. I made certain conditions, you accepted them. I have been true to my part of the agreement--you must, nay shall, reward me. I have a horse and gig a little further up yonder by-road. I shall drive you to Bath, and then I will marry you to-morrow morning. Come. You shall reign like a queen in my old home, and I will do all you desire. Come.' And Mr Bayfield laid a firm hand on Bryda's arm, looking down into her terror-struck face with eyes in which his determination and his passion shone almost fiercely. Bryda did not scream or cry, or even struggle. The spirit that was in her rose above her fears, and looking steadily at Mr Bayfield she said,-- 'I will not be forced to marry you, sir. Let me go. Every penny of your claim shall be paid, but I will not marry you.' A laugh greeted these words, and yet when Bryda said, after a momentary pause, 'I trust in God, and He will deliver me,' the laugh was changed into a tone of entreaty. Something in this girl there was which, in spite of himself, commanded respect. So small, so fragile as she looked in his power, in his hands, lured thither by his treachery, as a bird is lured to the snare, he yet quailed as Bryda repeated, 'He will deliver me.' 'Nay, Bryda,' he began in a gentler tone, 'I love you. I offer you all I have. I make you honourable proposals, when some men might--' A loud voice was now heard. 'What are you doing here--eh?' And in another moment Jack Henderson strode up, and putting his arm round Bryda, said defiantly, 'Touch her again if you dare.' 'Touch her!' Mr Bayfield said, with cool irony, 'touch her! I am to marry her to-morrow morning at Bath, so, my good fellow, I advise you to go back the way you came, and remember the old adage and mind your own business.' 'Is this true, Bryda?' Jack said, still holding her with his strong arm, 'is this true?' 'No, Jack, no, it is not true--it is false.' Then Jack sprang upon the Squire and struck him across the face. 'Leave her!' he shouted, 'leave go this instant, you scoundrel!' 'Yes, to give you your deserts, you young rascal.'