"Hear me, my child," cried the old man, again beginning to pace the room with measured strides; "you are dear to me, very dear, for you're the image of one lost to me years ago, long weary years ago. I cannot bear to see you offered as another victim on the altar of the Drink-Moloch: he has had victims enough: too many, too many. Do you wish to wither into a premature grave? Do you wish to see the light die out of your mother's smile? Then marry a drink-worshipper. Do you wish to tremble every time you hear the footstep of the man who has turned `sweet home' into a shuddering prison? then marry a drink-worshipper. Do you wish to see little children hide the terror of their eyes in your lap and tremble at the name of father? Then marry a drink-worshipper. Stay, stay, I'm an old fool to break out in this way, and scare you out of your wits;" for Mary and her mother were both sobbing bitterly: "forgive me, but don't forget me; there, let us change the subject." But Mary had checked her sobs, and, rising up calm and beautiful in her tears, she laid her hand lovingly on the old man's arm, and said, gently but firmly: "Dear old friend, thank you for what you have said. I promise you that never will I knowingly marry one who loves intoxicating drinks." "God bless you, my child. You have taken a load off the old man's heart, and off your mother's too, I know." Would Mary keep her word? She was soon to be put to the test. Though Mark hesitated to propose to Mary Franklin, his mother had no scruples on the subject. He had now come to man's estate, and she wished him to marry; specially she wished him to marry Mrs Franklin's daughter, as Mary would enjoy a nice little income when she came of age, and Mark's prospects were cloudy enough as far as anything from his father was concerned. Besides, she hoped that marrying Mary would steady her son-- a favourite scheme with mothers of drunkards. As for Mary's own peace or happiness, she never gave them a thought. The experiment would be something like caging a tiger and a lamb together for the purpose of subduing the tiger's ferocity; pleasant enough for the tiger, but simply destruction to the lamb. However, Mrs Rothwell pressed Mark to propose, so he yielded after a faint resistance, and now watched for his opportunity.