Van Zwieten shook his head. "I cannot accept your refusal. I have made up my mind that you shall marry me, and marry me you must. I have a strong will, Miss Scarse."
"I also, and so has Captain Burton. You can't bully me into being your slave."
"Pardon me, I should be the slave," said the Dutchman, blandly. "As for Captain Burton, poof! I will sweep him from my path. When he is in South Africa, I shall be there also."
"He is not going to South Africa."
"Oh, yes, I think so. He is a soldier, and your soldiers will have much to do in South Africa shortly."
"Mr. van Zwieten, I believe you are a Boer spy."
"Indeed! Why do you believe so?"
"You seem to be so certain of the war. You are going out to the Transvaal----"
"I am. You too, Miss Scarse--as my wife. Ah, do not look angry. You must accept the inevitable with a good grace. As to my being a spy, there is no need for me to act so low a part as that. I think there will be war because I read the sign of the times. Europe is with us----"
"Did your friend Dr. Leyds tell you so?" she asked scornfully.