‘“Her bringing up I have nothing to do with, but you intend, do you? to break your promise to Theodora, and to set yourself against both my plans and those of Theodora’s parents.” ‘“I have never proposed to Theodora, neither have I made her any promise. It has all been arranged between you and her parents, without our being consulted or having given our consent to it.” ‘“Yes, just so, and just so is it to be. I will in no manner give my consent to your marriage with a beggar-girl. Your marriage with Theodora has been put off long enough; and on that account it will be best that it should take place as soon as possible. I will provide for Annita myself. There is no hurry as regards her. I will provide a suitable husband for her in good time from among my serfs or servants—for example, Anthony Kudsk, or some other suitable youth.” ‘“Father,” I exclaimed in horror, “don’t do it! I ask you dutifully, and humbly, let me have Annita for my wife! I assure you, solemnly and truly, that I will marry no other girl.” ‘“Stuff and nonsense!” exclaimed my father; “when you are married to Theodora, and Annita has married Anthony, your romantic ideas will soon disperse, and later on you will be grateful to me.” ‘“Father, don’t joke, or rather make fun of us. Annita would die rather than marry Anthony, or any other serf. She has been brought up too well for that; and besides that, she admitted yesterday that she had always loved me since she was ten years old.” ‘“Leave that to me; I am master here.” ‘“Not over Annita,” I ventured to remark. ‘“Don’t you think so?” ‘“She is not your daughter, and neither a slave nor a serf.” ‘“Who has brought her up for the last twelve years?” ‘“You and my mother have.” ‘“Then I suppose we have something to say as to her future?” ‘“No; when Annita’s future has to be provided for, I have something to say. It was I who saved her life.” ‘“Ah, well! I have heard that story before now.” ‘“Father, have you anything to reproach Annita for?” ‘“No; but I will not have my son mix Finnish peasant blood with ours. I will have you marry a girl who is your equal in station and position, and that Theodora Petrovna is.” ‘“But if I won’t?” I made bold to say once more. ‘“You won’t! You can’t! you shall, though!” exclaimed my father in a rage. ‘“Will I, though?” ‘“Yes, you shall. I am master in my own house, and in my family. You are to marry Theodora, even if I have to lead you bound, and cudgelled, to the altar. In any case, I will never consent to your marriage with Annita. Now you know my answer, and we have no need to say anything more about it.” ‘“Just one word,” I said respectfully; “I am your only child and your heir, and I may presume that you have some little affection for me. Why can’t you grant me my heart’s fondest wish? Annita would make me a more faithful and affectionate wife than any other woman I know. Why should we, who are both in a sense your children, be compelled to curse, instead of to bless you?”