"You have asked her, and she has refused you?"
"In the most decided manner. It is out of the question, she says."
Old Stephen's brow darkened.
"Bah! You have done your wooing badly," he said. "You must not take any notice of that. The next time you ask her, she will respond differently."
"I cannot ask her again," said Guy.
"Cannot! You must, I tell you."
"Excuse me, sir," said Guy. "She has told me the thing is impossible; she has even said that she regards my proposal as an insult. After that I cannot repeat it."
"Ah, you have let her see that you are a half-hearted suitor," said the old man, shrewdly. "That will never do. You must manage better next time."
"There can be no next time," said Guy, his temper and courage rising together. "To please you, I have asked my cousin to marry me, but since she refuses, I now claim a right to choose a wife for myself."
"And whom would you choose, pray?" asked his uncle, regarding him with a narrow, penetrating glance. "Come, tell me, for I can see you have some one in your mind."