"And dishonestly towards myself," cried Lesbia indignantly. "And what of the remaining one thousand a year, father?" Hale drooped his eyes suavely. "I take that for arranging that you get the money. Come, Lesbia, what do you say?" "I decline," she retorted, quivering with indignation. "How dare you, who are my father, make such a proposal? Even if I were the true child, I should not give you one penny." "Ha!" said Hale bitterly. "I thought so, and thus suggested a wild scheme to try you. I might have known." "I believe that if I had fallen in with your scheme," cried Lesbia boldly, "that you would have arranged to carry it through. You have not the cross, however, and even if I consented----" "I remember the look of the cross, and so do you. It could have been duplicated, my dear." Lesbia looked at her father in pained astonishment, and then burst into bitter tears. "Oh, how I wish that I could respect you," she wailed. Hale lifted his eyebrows. "Don't you?" "No! How can I, when I find that you are so wicked?" "I was only trying you," he said hastily. "Though it is true that had you shown a disposition to give me my fair share I might have endeavoured to get you this fortune. But, as it is, I see well that all my pains would be thrown away. You would see me--your own father--starve rather than let me have one penny." Lesbia dried her tears. "I would have nothing to do with such a wicked scheme, and I only wish I could get away from you. You have never been a father to me, and every day we drift farther and farther apart. When I see Lord Charvington I shall ask him to help me to get a situation, as a companion or a nursery governess, and then----" "Lesbia, you surely would not disgrace me by talking to Charvington in that way," said Hale, his face growing dark. "Perhaps I have never been affectionate, but then I feel more than I say. And you have always had comfort and all that I could give." "I have had everything, save a father's love." "My nature is a reticent one," said her father sullenly. "So it is useless to ask for impossibilities. If you really are unhappy with me, marry George Walker and have done with it." "And what about Captain Sargent?" asked Lesbia sharply. Hale shrugged his shoulders. "I can't force you to marry a man against your will, bad father as you say that I am. I have done my best for you and you persistently regard me with suspicion." "What you proposed to do just now----" "Was merely an experiment. Think no more about it, and don't make yourself ridiculous with Charvington. Play your cards well with him and his wife, and you may make a good match." "I shall marry no one but George," said Lesbia obstinately. "He won't have anything to do with you," sneered Hale, and turned away.