He said he had no desire nor intention to marry me.

It was but a poor, lame ruse on his part." During Dorothy's recital Sir George turned his face from her to me.

When she had finished speaking, he looked at me for a moment and said:-- "Does my daughter speak the truth?
Did you say--" "Yes," I promptly replied, "I have no intention of marrying your daughter." Then hoping to place myself before Sir George in a better light, I continued: "I could not accept the hand of a lady against her will.

I told you as much when we conversed on the subject." "What ?" exclaimed Sir George, furious with anger.

"You too?
You whom I have befriended ?" "I told you, Sir George, I would not marry Dorothy without her free consent.