"Why did you do that?" said the girl, sharply. "To save rows--I hate a bother." "Richard, you were ashamed of me, and wouldn't own me," said Daisy, bursting into tears. "Oh, what a silly, hard-hearted, cruel little blossom it is," said Richard, trying to console her, but only to be pushed away. "All I did and said was to save bother, and not upset the old girl. That's why I want it all kept quiet. Here, as I tell you, I could be waiting for you over at Chorley, we could pop into the mail as it came through, off up to London, be married by licence, and then the old folks would be in a bit of a temper for a week, and as pleased as Punch afterwards." "Oh, no, Richard, I couldn't, couldn't do that," said the girl, panting with excitement. "Yes, you could," he said, "and come back after a trip to Paris, eh, Daisy? where you should have the run of the fashions. What would they all say when you came back a regular lady, and I took you to the house?" "Oh, Dick, dear Dick, don't ask me," moaned the poor girl, whose young head was in a whirl. "I couldn't--indeed I couldn't be so wicked." "So wicked! no, of course not," said Richard, derisively--"a wicked little creature. Oh, dear, what would become of you if you married Richard Glaire!" "You're teasing me," she said, "and it's very cruel of you." "Horribly," said Richard. "But you will come, Daisy?" "I couldn't, I couldn't," faltered the girl. "Yes, you could, you little goose." "Dick, my own handsome, brave Dick," she whispered, "let me tell father." He drew back from her coldly. "You want to be very obedient, don't you?" "Oh, yes, dear Richard," she said, looking at him appealingly. "You set such a good example, Daisy, that I must be very good too." "Yes, dear," she said, innocently. "Yes," he said, with a sneer; "so you go and tell your father like a good little child, and I'll be a good boy, too, and go and tell my mother, and she'll scold me and say I've been very naughty, and make me marry Eve." "Oh, Richard, Richard, how can you be so cruel?" cried the poor girl, reproachfully. "It isn't I; it's you," he said, smiling with satisfaction as he saw what a plaything the girl's heart was in his hands. "Are you going to tell your father?" "Oh, no, Dick, not if you say I mustn't." "Well, that's what I do say," he exclaimed sharply. "Very well, Dick," she said, sadly. "And look here, Daisy, my own little one," he whispered, kissing her tear-wet face, "some day, when I ask you, it shall be as I say, eh?" "Oh, Dick, darling, I'll do anything you wish but that. Don't ask me to run away." "Do you want to break off our match?" he said, bitterly. "Oh, no--no:--no--no." "Do you want to make my home miserable?" "You know I don't, Richard." "Because, I tell you I know my mother will never consent to it unless she is forced." "But you are your own master now, Richard," she pleaded.