“Then you are a very disobedient, rebellious, and unmanageable young couple! That is all I have to say. But I shall talk to Hermia and bring her to reason. And as for you, Ronald, I shall expect you to give up this insane whim and make up your mind to marry Hermia Templeton. You two are my heirs, and you should marry and keep the property together.” “I should be very sorry to disappoint you, uncle; but honor as well as love is engaged in this, and I cannot and will not give up the girl I love. I must and will marry Emolyn Palmer,” firmly responded Ronald Bruce. “Come, come, now, nephew!” said the old man as soothingly as he would have talked to a sick and delirious patient. “Come, come, listen to reason! I can understand and appreciate your feelings! yes, better than you can yourself. This love of yours is a delusion of the senses, a mere hallucination that is sure to pass away whether you marry the object of it or not! If you were to marry that young girl under your present illusions they would pass away in a few months. You would cease to love her; but you would never cease to regret that you had so hastily married her. Unfitted for each other in birth, culture, position, and everything, your wedded life would be a life of misery to both! Think of this while there is yet time, and withdraw from this contemplated and most insane idea of marriage! I will say no more to you at present. Go and think of what I have said to you, and said with the most unselfish desire to promote your happiness,” said Commodore Bruce, rising as a signal that the interview was ended. “I thank you, sir, for your great kindness to me in this as in all other matters. But I must not leave you under any false impressions. I love Em., and have won her love. I am of age and can do as I please. My pay as a lieutenant in the navy will support my wife in moderate comfort. Therefore, I shall certainly marry Emolyn Palmer just as soon as I can induce her to fix a day. I say this not in defiance of your wishes, sir, but that there may be no misapprehension of my intentions,” concluded the young man as he bowed and retired. “Stubborn as a mule,” said the commodore as he sank back in his seat. “I must see the girl. With her I shall have more success.” CHAPTER XIV CRUEL TO BE KIND