"You silly fellow, there is nothing to forgive," she replied gently. "You were right, as I was greatly prejudiced against you by my father. But now----" "Now?" he asked, looking at her anxiously. "I believe you to be honourable and honest, and----" "Ah"--Madame Alpenny broke in with a snarl, since things were not going as she desired--"honourable, honest. Oh, it is very fine; most excellent, I call it. Do not be sure, Mademoiselle, that he is what you call him." "I _am_ sure"--Gwen stamped--"and to prove the truth of my belief, I am ready to marry him, as my cousin, Owain Evans. There!" "Oh, Gwen! Oh, Gwen!" said Hench, scarcely believing his ears. "Ah, it is so," taunted the marplot. "Do you marry him for the heritage you have lost by his coming?" "I marry him because I love him, as he loves me," said Gwen quietly, and placing her hand in that of her lover, she faced Madame Alpenny steadily. "What a comparison"--the woman threw up her hands--"when he loves you not in the least little bit." "I love her with all my heart and soul!" cried the young man furiously. "Ah, and so did you speak to my daughter, Zara." Gwen pulled her hand away from that of Owain, and looked from him to the scoffing woman. "My daughter, Zara," she repeated. "And who is she?" "Do I not speak English?" questioned Madame Alpenny mockingly. "Ah, then I do pray your forgiveness, as I am what you call--yes--an alien." "It is nonsense you are talking," said Hench angrily. "Your daughter----" Then she turned on him furiously, letting her temper flame out for the first time during the interview. "Yes, my daughter. You dare to stand there and declare that you do not love her. She is heart-broken, poor girl, because you have deserted her. I came here bearing a message, and when I visited where you are staying, your landlady told me you had gone to this place. I followed quietly and hid myself there"--she flung out an arm towards the tall tombstone--"to hear what?--you making love with another girl. But it shall not be so, I tell you. Zara, my daughter, you shall marry, and not this--this----" "Stop!" cried Hench, finally managing to stay this torrent of words. "If you begin to call names you will be sorry for it. I do not love your daughter--I never loved your daughter. It is true that I admired her, but she told me how she desired to marry Bracken." "You false one!" raged Madame Alpenny. "Zara told me you did ask her hand in marriage."