"Unexpected so far as time and place are concerned," said Maurice, firmly. "But as you have asked Miss Dallas to marry you, take her refusal from her own lips." "Miss Dallas!" said Etwald, in no wise moved by this speech. "Isabella!" cried her mother in an angry tone. Isabella looked calmly at them both. "I love Maurice. I intend to marry him," she repeated, and an obstinate expression came over her face. "In that case," said Etwald, rising, "I must take my leave, and shall be content with that answer until such time as you are free; then," he added, coolly, "I shall ask you again." "I shall never be free," said Isabella, proudly. "Oh, yes, you will; when Mr. Alymer is dead." "Dead!" shrieked Mrs. Dallas, all her superstition roused by the word. "Come away from that man, Isabella." "Maurice dead!" repeated the girl, with a pale cheek. The young man shrugged his shoulders. "Pooh! pooh! some nonsense that Dr. Etwald was talking about last night," he added, contemptuously. "He says if I marry, it will be a case of life in death, whatever that means." Etwald rose to his feet and stretched out a menacing hand. "I have warned you, Alymer," he said, sternly. "Your marriage, after or before it, means life in death. Take care! Ladies," he added, with a bow, "I take my departure." Outside Etwald found Dido waiting for him. He looked at her significantly. "I have failed," he said. "There is nothing left but the devil-stick." CHAPTER VI. A STRANGE OCCURRENCE. Maurice returned home after a somewhat stormy interview with Mrs. Dallas. For once the mother of Isabella was roused out of her habitual indifference, and she refused absolutely to accept Alymer as her son-in-law. In vain the lovers implored her to give some reason for her strange refusal, but beyond expressing a personal dislike for Maurice she declined to explain her conduct. The young man saw in this uncalled for behavior the hostile influence of Dido. "It is because that black woman distrusts me that you object," he said, when Mrs. Dallas had talked herself hoarse. "I wonder that an English lady, a Christian and an educated person should be dominated by that uncivilized creature." "Dido has nothing to do with my refusal," said the widow, coldly, "and although I take her advice in some things I do not in this. I do not wish Isabella to marry you, and I request you to leave my house--" "Mother!" cried Isabella, with a pale face. "And never come back to it again!" finished Mrs. Dallas, sharply. Maurice went to the window of the room which opened on to the veranda and put on his hat. "As a gentleman, I must accept your dismissal," he said, quietly; "but I decline to give up Isabella." "And I," cried the girl, "swear to remain true to Maurice." "You'll do nothing of the sort," said her mother, violently. "I forbid you even to think of that young man. You shall marry whom I choose." "Dr. Etwald, I suppose?" "No. Mr. Sarby."