"No, no, dear father!" she cried, "I cannot, I cannot wed him. It would break my heart." "Stuff!" he cried, caressing her; "what dost thou know of breaking hearts and such silly, girlish fancies? He brings thee jewels, and thou wilt have gay brocades. Why, my sweet pet, thou wilt drive Anne Beckley mad with envy. Mark me, she meant to wed Sir Mark herself." "Father, dear," said Mace, kissing him, and speaking in a low, appealing voice, "it is not like you to speak to your little girl like this. Do I care to flaunt in gay clothes--to try and best Anne Beckley? Have I any such ideas as these?" "No, no, child; may be not," he said, stroking her hair; "but--but--I'd like to see thee a grand dame." "Would it make you happier, dear?" she replied, kissing him fondly as she nestled to his breast. "Well, well, yes, of course," he said hastily. "Nay, nay, father, dear, you would never, never be happy again if you sold me to that man." "Sold!" he cried furiously, for that truthful word stung him to his heart. "How dare you say that, ungrateful girl that thou art? How dare you?" "Because it is true," cried Mace, drawing back from him to stand, white and angry, at bay. "Father, you are trying to sell me to this man!" "It is a lie--a damned lie!" he cried furiously. "Mace, thou hast been listening to that villain--that scoundrel--that murderer--Gil Carr, again." "It is no lie, father," she retorted, "and Gil is no murderer--no villain--no scoundrel, but an honourable gentleman, as you know." "I know thou hast been carrying on with him again," cried the founder. "Curse him!" he roared, bringing his hand down heavily upon the table, so that the glasses and pipes leaped again. "I have not," cried Mace, angrily. "You said I should not, and I obeyed you, as I always have; but," she added proudly, "I told Gil I would never be the wife of another man, and I never will." "Have a care, madam, have a care!" cried the founder, who was beside himself with passion. "I am a true man, but an obstinate one. I said thou should'st not wed that wild buccaneering adventurer, and I'll keep my word." "Father!" cried Mace, as hotly, "I am thy daughter, and I can be obstinate too. I can keep my word. I will not wed Gil, if you forbid it; but I will wed no other man." "Curse the day he ever entered my house, and curse the day he ever enters it again! I have given Sir Mark Leslie my word that thou shalt be his wife, and that word I'll keep. Now, I have said it, and thou knowest what to expect. I've indulged and spoiled thee, till, like an ingrate, thou fliest in my face, and forgettest all thy duty. Now go and learn what duty to a husband is." "No, no, no!" cried Mace, casting off her angry fit, and flinging her arms round her father's neck. "Forgive me, dear, I said words to you I repent of now." "Then thou wilt meet him as thou shouldest, child?"