I have returned home with some reputation, and with a goodly sum gained in the wars with the Moors.

I am older than my cousin certainly; but as I am still but thirty-two, this would not, I hope, be deemed an obstacle, and methought that you would rather entrust her to your affectionate cousin than to a stranger.

The king has received me very graciously, and would, I trust, offer no opposition to my suit were it backed by your goodwill." "I suppose, Sir James," Dame Vernon said, "that I should thank you for the offer which you have made; but I can only reply, that while duly conscious of the high honour you have done my daughter by your offer, I would rather see her in her grave than wedded to you." The knight leapt from his seat with a fierce exclamation.

"This is too much," he exclaimed, "and I have a right to know why such an offer on my part should be answered by disdain, and even insolence." "You have a right to know," Dame Vernon answered quietly, "and I will tell you.

I repeat that I would rather see my child in her grave than wedded to a man who attempted to compass the murder of her and her mother." "What wild words are these ?" Sir James asked sternly.