"If ever a man earned a woman fair, I done it," he remarked simply. "She's better to-day; but Dr. Fraser was a bit afraid of collapse at first. Anna's nursed her. I've not been near, except just to pass the time of day. I done the square thing, as I told you all along I meant to; an' we'll come to church an' get married, soon as she's up and dressed."
Mayne slowly shook his head.
"Mestaer," he said, "I have done you an injustice, I freely own it. I believe all you tell me. You have done better than I thought you would; now it remains for you to do better than you yourself believe that you can. You must let Millie go."
Bert flung himself into a chair, and pulling out a tobacco-pouch, began to fill his pipe. He gave an insolent laugh.
"We're engaged; you can't alter that."
"Under the terms of her father's will, Millie cannot marry under the age of twenty-one without my consent She is going to England."
Bert looked earnestly at him.
"Look here! I've played the game so far," he said. "Don't you push me; you'd better not. Hands off Millie; she's going to marry me."
"Perhaps she may, when she is grown up, if you have the courage and constancy to wait for her; but not now."
"Now, by ——!" His oath made Carol wince.