"Forgive me, but it will be still more firmly declined."
Grace was puzzled; and half sportively, half sincerely, it entered her thoughts that she had played her hand well if already, as his words seemed to imply, she had found more favour in the young fisherman's eyes than her cousin. But, all at once, the thought flashed upon her mind that it was alone the pride of love that led him to refuse any favour at her cousin's hands.
"You mean," she said in revenge, smiling as she spoke, "that you dislike my cousin Kate so much that you will not receive any kindness at her hands."
"If such could be inferred from my words, I recall every letter of them," he said, with an earnestness that amused her.
"I will then speak for you to my uncle."
"Lady, you will think me very ungrateful," he replied, "but—"
"But you will take no favour from the father of Kate Bellamont. Really, my cousin is complimented."
He was embarrassed by the light in which she seemed to take his words, and, in attempting to explain, involved himself still deeper.
"Do not be distressed; I perfectly understand you, Mark," she said, with a laugh that relieved him. "Will you be obliged to me?"
"Pardon me if I say no!" he answered, gratefully but firmly. "No, lady," he added, in a grateful tone of voice, yet sadly, "I must work out brighter fortunes for myself by my own energies."