"I shall take you if I must by force." Breaking through the group, he seized the hand of his daughter and dragged her after him.
"Oh, save me!" cried the poor girl, struggling to release herself.
"I can't stand this! If she doesn't want to go with him, she shan't, father or no father," growled David, dashing after the pair.
"Stop, sir!" he cried, seizing Anne's other hand.

"I must ask you to release this young lady at once." "Insolent boy!" cried the other, giving each word an oratorical flourish, "are you not aware that this young lady, as you call her, is merely a child, and that she happens to be my daughter?
I cannot see that you have a right to interfere in a family matter." "But I have no proof that Miss Pierson is your daughter," retorted David.

"It is enough that she doesn't want to go with you.

I undertook to see her safely to her own home, this evening, and I mean to do it.
After that you may settle your difficulties as you please." "Miserable upstart!" cried the man, now so thoroughly angry that he let go Anne's hand, "I have a good mind to give you what you deserve.

As for you, undutiful, wretched girl," he added, his voice rising to an emotional tremolo, "you shall be well punished for this!" "Don't wait," whispered Anne.