"But it's impossible for you to accept him, though he is very rich." "Quite impossible, papa!" "Then he'll be offended." "Well, papa, that is not of much consequence." "But it is of consequence--of great consequence! Don't I tell you it will cause me serious loss; and besides that, it is dangerous to affront a fellow like this. He is only a nigger, of course, but he is a reigning prince, and has great power. He's as proud as Lucifer; and if he considers that he is affronted, there's no knowing what may be the consequences." "He may carry me off perhaps, papa," said Helen, showing her white teeth. "Well, I wouldn't say that he might not attempt it!" "Like a baron of old," said the girl scornfully. "Papa, I am not a child! How can you be so absurd?" "You can call it what you like," he said angrily; "but your folly has got us into a pretty mess. Well, you must go in and see him." "I? Go in and see him?" cried Helen, flushing. "Impossible, papa!" "But it is not impossible. I told him I didn't know what to say till I had seen you, and, what was the perfect truth, that I was quite taken by surprise. Now the best thing will be for you to go in and see him and temporise with him. Don't refuse him out and out, but try and ease him off, as one may say. Gain time, and the fellow will forget all about it in a month or two." "Papa!" "Ah, you may say--_papa_; but you have got me into a terrible muddle, and now you must help to get me out of it. I must not have this fellow offended. Confound the insolent scoundrel! Just like the savage. He learns to wear English clothes, and then thinks he is a gentleman, and insults us with this proposal." "Yes; insults us papa: that is the word!" cried Helen, with spirit. "Well, time's flying, and he is waiting, so go and see him at once, and get it over." "But I tell you, papa, I cannot. It is impossible!" "Why, you were talking to him for long enough last night in the drawing-room. Now, come, Helen, don't be ridiculous, but go and do as I tell you; and the sooner it is done the better." Helen Perowne pressed her lips tightly together, and a look came into her face that betokened obstinate determination of the straightest kind. "Papa, you make matters worse," she cried, "by proposing such a degrading task to me. This man is, as you say, little better than a savage. His proposal is an insult, and yet you wish me to go and see him. It is impossible!" "Don't I tell you that I have business arrangements with the fellow, and that I can't afford to lose his custom? And don't I tell you that, situated as we are here amongst these people, it is not wise to make them our enemies. I don't want you to snub him. It is only for prudential reasons. Now, come; get it over."