CHAPTER XVIII.
“NOT LOVE, BUT FEAR!”
“Oh, grandpapa, spare me, I entreat you! I cannot, will not meet that man!” cried Violet, in a mixture of despair and entreaty.
He was urging her presence in the drawing-room, to meet Harold Castello, but with streaming eyes she implored his clemency.
“Do not force me into this man’s detested presence, I pray you! Oh, grandpapa, what has your poor little Violet done to you to be treated in this cruel fashion?”
“Treated cruelly! Well, of all the charges, you silly child, that I ever heard, this is the most unfounded! Is it cruel to offer you a rich and handsome young man for a husband?”
“Yes, when all my heart is given to another!” cried the girl, vehemently.
A stifled oath escaped the judge’s lips.
“You shall never marry that poverty-stricken young Grant, you may be sure of that, my girl; and the sooner you realize it, the better!”
Violet trembled, but she did not reply, fearing the violence of his wrath.
“Come, now, Violet! make up your mind to meet Mr. Castello as I wish you to do,” he added, cajolingly, for he really believed that a sight of the handsome and fascinating Spaniard might alter the girl’s sentiments toward him.