"She shall consent! she shall—she must!" said the squire, startled by his last threat; "she shall be your wife, that is settled. I think I can manage her, though it will be a desperate struggle."
"I shall force myself into her presence as little as possible," said the doctor, calmly; "she has no particular love for me as yet, and it will not help on my case. Mind, I shall expect you will use all your energies, for our marriage must take place in a month at farthest," said the doctor, as he arose, and, with a last expressive glance at his victim, withdrew.
CHAPTER XXII.
FETTERS FOR THE EAGLET.
"I'm o'er young, I'm o'er young—
I'm o'er young to marry yet.
I'm o'er young; 'twould be a sin
To take me from my mammy yet."—Burns.
"
ipsy, my dear, come here and sit beside me. I have something very important to say to you," said the squire, as, half an hour later, he caught sight of Gipsy, running, singing, down stairs.
"Why, Guardy, what's the matter? You look as solemn as a coffin," said Gipsy, coming in and sitting down on a stool at his side.