Here I broke in, “What on earth does all this mean?” “I will tell you. Your aunt writes now and then to Miss Peniston.” “Certainly,” said I. “Yes; she says, too, things concerning you and that lady which are not to my taste.” “Indeed!” “I have been so honoured as to see some of these famous epistles. I think Darthea is pleased to torment me at times; it is her way, as you may happen to know. Also, and this is more serious, you have yourself written to Darthea.” “I have, and several times. Why not?” “These letters,” he went on, “she has refused to show to me. Now I want to say--and you will pardon me--that I permit no man to write to a woman whom I am to marry unless I do not object.” “Well?” I said, beginning to smile, after my unmanageable habit. “Here I do object.” “What if I say that, so long as Miss Peniston does not seem displeased, I care not one farthing who objects!” “By George!” cried he, leaping up in the boat. “Take care; thou wilt upset the skiff.” “I have half a mind to.” “Nonsense! I can swim like a duck.” “This is no trifle, sir,” he returned. “I will allow no man to take the liberty you insist on. It amazes me that you do not see this as I do. I am sorry, but I warn you once for all that I--” “I am at your service, sir,” I broke in. “Pshaw! nonsense! I am a guest in your father’s house. I have thought it my duty, for your sake and my own, to say what I have said. When I know that you have again disobeyed my reasonable and most earnest wish, I shall consider how to deal with the matter. I have been forbearing so far, but I cannot answer for the future.” “Cousin Arthur,” I replied, “this seems to me a silly business, in which we have both lost our tempers. I have no hope that Miss Peniston will ever change her mind, and I am free to say to you that I think it useless to persist; but nevertheless--” “Persist!” “I said ‘persist.’ Until Miss Peniston is no longer Miss Peniston, I shall not cease to do all that is in my power to make her change her mind.” “And you call that honourable--the conduct of a gentleman and a kinsman?”