"No." Durban's eyes were fixed on her face. "I have no reason to think so. If he loves my missy, he can never be fond of other women; but if he plays you false, missy "--Durban's face grew grim and darker than ever--"you have a dog who can bite."
"No! no!" said Beatrice, alarmed--since Durban could make himself unpleasant on occasions, and, from the look on his face, she feared for Vivian--"he loves me, and me only; I am sure of that!"
The man's face cleared. "Then we will go to the Grange this evening, and you can see him."
"But if my stepfather hates him, Durban, he will place some obstacle in the way, should Mr. Paslow ask me to marry him."
"If he asks you to be his wife, you shall marry him, missy."
"But my father----"
"He will say nothing."
"Are you sure? When Mr. Alpenny takes an idea into his head----"
"He will take no idea of stopping your marriage, missy. You shall be happy. I promised him that."
"Promised who?"