"I came here of my own will.

I have been dwelling within a stone's-throw of your house these six months, in hopes to see you face to face.

She told me _not_ to come--I swear she did." "So much the better for her," ejaculated the Squire, grimly.

"If I thought that she had any hand in this, not another shilling of my money should she ever touch.

It was agreed between us," he continued, passionately--"and I, for my part, am a man who keeps his word--that she and hers should never meddle more with me and mine; and now she has broken faith." "Nay, Sir, but she has not," returned the young man, firmly.