"My dear child, he has no vices. He neither drinks, nor gambles, nor----"
"If he had all the vices of which a human being is capable," interrupted Mara loudly, "I would not mind. But his bad qualities are inhuman. He is selfish and dangerous, and all his time is given to Black Magic."
The Squire laughed incredulously. "I know that Theodore dabbles in such things," he said disbelievingly; "but it is all imagination, Mara. There is no such a thing as any power to be obtained in that way."
"Yes there is. I know," said Mara, looking at her father significantly.
"Can you prove what you say, my dear?"
"No. And I don't want to talk any more about the matter. I won't marry my cousin Theodore, even if you leave the property away from me."
"I don't want to do that. You are my heiress, and my idea was for you to marry your cousin. Then he could take your name, and----"
"I shan't marry Theodore," cried Mara for the third time, and stamped.
"Basil, then. You can have no fault to find with Basil."
"I haven't, father, but"--Mara stopped, and a strange smile spread over her small, pale face--"I shall ask Basil to marry me, if you like," she said in an abrupt way. "He can but say no."