"Yes, I am," Mara asserted decidedly; "my body is English, but my soul is Japanese. I know now that I was a Miko in the Temple of Kitzuki three hundred years ago, and that I loved him," she pointed to Akira, who smiled assentingly. "Oh, what nonsense!" said Miss Carrol, rather crossly; "it is your imagination, you silly child!" and then, before Mara could contradict her, she turned to the Count. "Mr. Colpster wants to see you," she remarked. "Will you follow me?" "I want to come also," said Mara; and grasping Akira's hand she went into the house. They looked at one another adoringly and smiled. At the bedroom door Patricia left them, as the Squire had intimated that he wished to see Akira privately. Miss Carrol therefore desired to take Mara downstairs with her, but the girl refused to go. "I have to speak to my father also," she declared obstinately, "and I must do so while the Count is present." "As you please," replied Miss Carrol, finding it impossible to move the girl, and knowing Mara's obstinate disposition of old, "you will find me in the library when you come down." "With Basil!" cried out Mara mischievously; and Patricia looked back to give a smiling nod. Then the two entered the bedroom. Mr. Colpster was lying on the sofa near a large fire, wrapped in his dressing-gown, and looked thin, since his illness had rather pulled him down. He also appeared to be somewhat cross, and shook at Akira several sheets of blue paper with an angry air. "I received your letter this morning," he said sharply, and without greeting his visitor in any way. "That is good," said Akira politely, "it will save me the trouble of an explanation, Mr. Colpster." "I think not," growled the Squire. "I must know more, and in any case I do not intend to consent." "Oh, father, you must!" cried Mara, indignantly. "Go down stairs, child," said her father quickly; "I wish to speak alone with this--this gentleman." But Mara stood her ground. "What the Count has to say concerns me," she declared obstinately. "I shan't go!" Colpster stormed vainly, while Akira looked on passively. But nothing would move Mara from the position which she had taken up. She simply laughed at her father, and in the end he had to yield a grudging consent to her remaining in the room. "And now, sir," he said, when this was settled and again shaking the sheets of blue paper at Akira. "I understand from this that you wish to marry my daughter Mara. Of course, it is quite impossible!" "Why?" asked Akira calmly, and holding Mara's hand. "Because you are not an Englishman," spluttered the Squire. "If I was a Frenchman, or a German, you would not object!" retorted the Count coolly. "Why not say that it is because I am not a European!" "Very good then, I say it. You are of the yellow race, and Mara is of the white. Marriage between you is ridiculous." "I don't think so, sir."