The blood mounted in torrents to her cheeks as she replied,
"Why, father, you surely cannot mean William Lawrence?"
"And who else should I mean? He is not worth a single iota, and what is more, he is never like to be."
"True, he is not rich, but he is industrious, and with his excellent habits I have no fears on that account."
"Oh, you have not, have you," said her father, almost fiercely, "but I tell you Miss, it will never do, so you may think the matter over at your leisure, and settle the affair, I hope, without any farther interference on my part."
She raised her eyes timidly to her father's and said, "I think, sir, you will be obliged to finish the work if it is ever done; my faith is plighted to William, and you know, father, I cannot break my word."
This candid avowal but added "fuel to the flame" of the enraged father, and he sternly said, "My commands are upon you, and I expect you to obey me."
"But father," began the trembling girl,
"There is no but in the case. But I will leave you now, for I see your milk and water looking gentleman is coming, and I expect, Hannah, it will be the last time his shadow will ever darken my doors."
As he passed out at one door the young man entered at the opposite, and fixed his handsome eyes, with a searching glance, upon Hannah, as he gave her his cordial greeting, saying,