“I have not consented! I had rather be hanged!” screamed Elfie, who had succeeded in wriggling her head free from the hand of her captor.
In this panic the parson dropped his book, and fell into an ague fit.
“This wretch has carried me off by force! He is marrying me by force! I will never—” spluttered Elfie so far; but just here Albert succeeded in getting his hand over her mouth, and silenced her again.
Mutchison picked up the prayer-book and restored it to its owner.
“Go on!” thundered Goldsborough, with a furious stamp of his foot, that nearly caused the startled preacher to drop the volume again.
“Young lady, I have no option but to go on. I act under compulsion, as you do,” said the preacher, beginning again;
“‘Forasmuch as this——’”
“Oh, Mr. Simmons! you look like a good man,” begged Elfie, who had twisted her head free—“and you may have sisters of your own; for their sakes——”
But here Albert Goldsborough stopped her mouth again, and roared at the unfortunate parson to proceed.
“You see, young lady, I have no alternative but to do what I am about to do. The man threatened to hang me if I refused,” pleaded the minister.