"I know well enough, Kaituna. You love him so much that you would go and live in a cottage, on dry bread and water. This is youthful folly, and I decline to aid you to ruin your life in such a way. Mr. Maxwell has behaved very badly----" "No! No!" "I say he has," replied Pethram, with emphasis; "no gentleman would have acted as he has done. I will write him at once, and if he seeks an interview he shall have it, so that I can tell him to his face my opinion of his conduct." "Father!" "Not another word, Kaituna. Rise from your knees, for all your tears won't alter my decision. I won't ask you to dismiss this gentleman; I will do it myself." His daughter, stung by his cold irony, sprang to her feet with a cry of anger. "Papa! Papa! Don't do that. I love him! I want to marry him!" Then, after a pause, stamping her foot, "I will marry him." "Will you? I'm afraid not," replied Pethram, coldly; "you are under age, remember." "Oh, what shall I do! what shall I do," cried the girl, tearfully, raising her head. "Behave like a sensible woman, and give up this madness." "No, I will not. I will be true to Archie!" Pethram shook his head with a vexed air. "My dear child, you are really very foolish. I don't wish to argue any more on the subject." "You are going to write to--to Mr. Maxwell?" "At once." "And refuse to let him marry me?" "Exactly." "Then," said Kaituna, pausing a moment at the door, "I swear by the name of my mother that I will be true to him." She was gone in a moment, and Sir Rupert, over whose face had come a grave, worn look, laughed discordantly. "By the name of her mother," he said with a sneer. "Ah! she little knows what her mother was." CHAPTER XVI. FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED. "'Tis ill work fighting in the dark, Though skilled you be in use of lance; A random thrust may stretch you sark, Though guided but by fickle chance. 'Tis wisest, then, to fight in light, For you can judge your foeman's skill; And though in armour he be dight, Your lance may find some place to kill."