"She does not care for him!" he cried. "She cannot!"
"But he'll be one of the richest men in Lancashire, Paul!"
"But she could not! She could not!"
"Perhaps it explains this letter," said his mother. "Judge Bolitho has doubtless set his heart upon his daughter marrying a rich man, and her feelings are not considered. But don't give up hope, Paul. Don't give up hope. Ned Wilson shall never have her!"
"But what can we do, mother?"
"Are you a son of mine to talk like that?" she asked. "Can you, a strong man, give up tamely?"
"No," cried Paul. "I'll not give up tamely; but of course her father is against me, and he has chosen Ned Wilson for her. As you say, he'll be one of the richest men in Lancashire, and now that Mr. Bolitho has become a judge, his income will not be so much as it was. However, I'll put a stop to it; I can and I will!"
"How can you do it?" asked the mother.
"Never mind," replied Paul. "But it shall be done." That same night he wrote a letter to Ned Wilson.
"Dear Sir," he wrote.