"This must not be, Sir George," said I, sternly. "I shall not leave Haddon Hall, and I fear you not. I shall remain here to protect your daughter and you from your own violence. You cannot put me out of Haddon Hall; I will not go."
"Why cannot I put you out of Haddon Hail?" retorted Sir George, whose rage by that time was frightful to behold.
"Because, sir, I am a better man and a better swordsman than you are, and because you have not on all your estates a servant nor a retainer who will not join me against you when I tell them the cause I champion."
Dawson and his fellow stepped to my side significantly, and Sir George raised the iron manacles as if intending to strike me. I did not move. At the same moment Madge entered the room.
"Where is my uncle?" she asked.
Old Bess led her to Sir George. She spoke not a word, but placed her arms gently about his neck and drew his face down to hers. Then she kissed him softly upon the lips and said:—
"My uncle has never in all his life spoken in aught but kindness to me, and now I beg him to be kind to Dorothy."
The heavy manacles fell clanking to the floor. Sir George placed his hand caressingly upon Madge's head and turned from Dorothy.
Lady Crawford then approached her brother and put her hand upon his arm, saying:—
"Come with me, George, that I may speak to you in private."