Why do you come to torment me again ?" He placed the lantern upon an upright sack of mealies, and carefully balanced it before he answered.

Jess could see that he was taking time to consider.
"Let us recapitulate," he said at length, in his full rich voice.

"The position is this.

I gave you this morning the choice between consenting to marry me to-morrow and seeing your old uncle and benefactor shot.
Further, I assured you that if you would not consent to marry me your uncle should be shot, and that I would then make you mine, dispensing with the ceremony of marriage.

Is that not so ?" Bessie made no answer, and he continued, his eyes fixed upon her face, and thoughtfully stroking his beard.
"Silence gives consent.