“Frank, you know this is no new thing to me; I have known it, and been prepared for it all along!” replied the girl, with a look of resignation.
“Oh, Zuleime! is there no way to prevent it?”
“None that I know of, Frank!”
“Zuleime! I was in every way his equal—why, when that is the case, and when I was supported by your voice, too—why was I rejected?”
The maiden shook her head.
“Zuleime, when is this hideous marriage expected to come off—do you know?”
“Whenever Major Cabell chooses to demand my hand, I believe!”
“Really! Upon my word! He is a personage of tremendous importance! Whenever HE chooses to demand your hand!! Zuleime! that is passing strange! This affair seems then to rest entirely with Major Cabell!!!”
“Yes, it does entirely.”
“Bless his Majesty. Zuleime, what hold has that man on your father?”