"Listen," he said: "I was never more in earnest in my life. I love you with all my heart and soul. I love you madly. I want you for my wife. I mean to marry you, come what may. I have plenty of money and you are the wife of all others for me. You told me this morning that you loved me, Hetty. Tell me again; say that you love me better than any one else in the world." Hetty paused, she raised her dark eyes; the Squire was almost within earshot. "I suppose I love you--a little," she said, in a whisper. "Then give me a kiss--just one." She walked on. Frere followed. "Give me a kiss--just one," he repeated. "Not to-night," she replied, in a demure voice. "Yes, you must--I insist." "Don't, Mr. Frere," she called out sharply, uttering a cry as she spoke. He didn't mind her. Overcome by his passion he caught her suddenly in his arms, and pressed his lips many times to hers. "Hold, sir! What are you doing?" shouted Awdrey's voice from the opposite side of the bank. "By heaven, what is that to you?" called Frere back. He let Hetty go with some violence, and retreated one or two steps in his astonishment. His face was crimson up to the roots of his honest brow. Awdrey leaped across the brook. "You will please understand that you take liberties with Miss Armitage at your peril," he said. "What right have you to take such advantage of an undefended girl? Hetty, I will see you home." Hetty's eyes danced with delight. For a moment Frere felt too stunned to speak. "Come with me, Hetty," said Awdrey, putting a great restraint upon himself, but speaking with irritation. "Come--you should be at home at this hour." "You shall answer to me for this, whoever you are," said Frere, whose face was white with passion. "My name is Awdrey," said the Squire; "I will answer you in a way you don't like if you don't instantly leave this young girl alone." "Confound your interference," said Frere. "I am not ashamed of my actions. I can justify them. I am going to marry Miss Armitage." "Is that true, Hetty?" said Awdrey, looking at the girl in some astonishment. "No, there isn't a word of it true," answered Hetty, stung by a look on the Squire's face. "I don't want to have anything to do with him--he shan't kiss me. I--I'll have nothing to do with him." She burst into tears. "I'll see you home," said Awdrey. CHAPTER II.