Father, if he were engaged to anyone of the women here, to someone his equal, I should still love him and want him; yes, and move heaven and earth to get him.

But this is only a flirtation with some country girl--she meets him on the hill-side by the river--anywhere.

I have seen them, at a distance, once or twice.
She is of no importance.

She has caught his fancy, and will soon fail to hold it." She waved her hand as if she were moving the obstacle aside.

Her father stared at her in a kind of stupefaction.
"My girl, don't you know what you are asking for?
A life of wretchedness and misery; the hell of being married to a man who doesn't love you." She laughed and drew herself up, her eyes flashing, a warm glow on her cheeks.
"Who doesn't love me! Not now, perhaps; but do you think I should not teach him to love me, make him love me?
Look at me, father!" He looked at her reluctantly, in a kind of dazed admiration and resentment.
"Do you think any man could resist me if I set my mind upon winning him?
No! Oh, it's not the language of hysterical vanity! I know my power; every woman knows how far her power will go.