"Well, you will not marry at eighteen," she answered, tartly.
"Perhaps not; indeed, I have no desire to, but when I do, Mr. Richardson will be the man whom I shall marry, and I want the matter understood once for all," Violet returned, with a gravity which betrayed her unalterable determination.
"You had best put the child to bed, Belle, and I will show this young carpenter the way out," Mr. Mencke remarked, contemptuously, as if he really regarded Violet's assertion as simply the iteration of a willful child.
Violet shot him a look that made him wince; then turning, she laid her hand upon Wallace's arm.
"It is a shame!" she said, with quivering lips. "I blush that relatives of mine can stoop to offer any one such indignity. Forgive me that I am powerless to help it."
"I have nothing to forgive, and I have everything to honor you for, Violet; but it is best that I should go now, and we will settle this matter later," the young man replied, in a fond yet regretful tone.
It had been very hard to stand there and preserve his self-control; but for her sake he had borne all in silence.
"You will never give me up?" the young girl pleaded, her small fingers closing over his arm appealingly.
He took her hand in a strong yet gentle clasp.
"No, never, until you yourself ask it," he said, firmly.