cruel a man can be you think only of yourself not of me if your life is ruined what of mine do you deem for a moment that money will mend my broken heart i would tell you all but i dare not she made no answer do you know what i intend to do he said resolutely i intend to ask lord the meaning of this mystery you refuse me an explanation he will not dare to do so he had nearly reached the door but on hearing her appealing cry looked back with a frown her in london were outstretched as to take him to her breast aud all his anger at the sight he sprang back to her side my darling my poor darling he whispered holding her tightly to his heart i do not blame you i have been harsh and cruel to speak as i have done but think what your refusal means to me i will not accept your answer of to day at once i will see your father and if he freely to our marriage � i will marry no one but you she whispered interrupting him hurriedly he wants me to become the wife of sir but i will never consent he shall not wreck our happiness for his selfish pleasure i owe a duty to you � to myself as well as to him go and see him and tell him all he must consent in the end go go pressed a kiss on her lips and not trusting himself to speak ran quickly out of the room hastened to the window and saw him walk rapidly down the street then in a state of utter exhaustion went to her room to lie down the ordeal had been too much for her and torn by conflicting doubts she did not know how to act her father her lover � it was impossible to obey both and the more she thought over the situation the more did it become despite the transparent selfishness of lord s character his daughter loved him dearly and unfortunately her spirit was too weak to stand against his strong will she was no to fight her own battles but a tender and loving woman with many of the weaknesses of a up to date feminine nature so in the present she felt absolutely helpless between the two men yet though was not of the stuff of which are made neither did her character on the side of she was simply a woman of strong affections unable to decide between father and lover besides she was but twenty years of age and had no mother to take her part lord was very angry when from behind the pink sheet of the globe he saw enter the club he instinctively guessed that there was trouble in the wind and scenes would have given a great deal to have avoided the meeting as it was he hoped to escape observation behind his paper but recognized him at once and walked straight up to his chair the young man s was so that lord thought he would make a scene there and then however was too wise to lose his temper and saluted his in a bland manner well my dear said the peer uneasily i trust you have had a satisfactory interview lord i wish to speak to you in private replied taking no notice of the remark � an which by no means reassured the old gentleman by all means said his l with alacrity getting on his legs come to the smoking room there is no one there if there was to be a scene it was as well to get it over at once the old did not lack in london age and had fully made up his mind that should not come off best in the encounter was young and hot tempered lord cool and so he had little doubt but that the result would be in his favor however did not know the temper of his adversary and found him more of a match than he expected but what could youth do against thoughtful age especially when the latter was selfish and in the extreme well my dear fellow began his when they were seated in the and what is it you wish to say � i asked miss to be my wife and she has refused me am deeply sorry but i cannot interfere you had my best wishes you know yes believe i had replied but they did not do me much good it is no use beating about the bush lord i know too much to take your daughter s refusal seriously i am at a loss to understand your meaning sir that is not impossible however i can easily make it clear miss loves me and would marry me but for you but for me said lord with well acted surprise my dear sir why bring me into the matter my daughter s choice rests with herself oh no t doesn t she did not explain her meaning at any great length but from what she said i gathered that you wish her to make a rich up to date u every father wishes to do the best he can for his child returned lord as a matter of fact you must admit you are not well off i have the offer of a in good lord i said indignantly do you think for a moment mr that i will permit my daughter to go to it s a very pleasant island stammered finding himself at some disadvantage for he could not but be aware that his offer sounded very far from tempting a yellow fever island corrected lord with great disdain let us speak plainly mr i gave you permission to ask my daughter to be your wife she has refused you so as a gentleman you must retire 