"'Oh, in many places,' replied the Englishman, laughing. 'We are very good friends, she and I, and have been meeting every evening for a long time. Indeed, you have to thank me for giving you a chance to consent to the wedding.'
"Now the Heer van der Poel was always a quiet man, but there was nothing weak in him.
"'I do thank you,' he said, 'for playing the part of an honest man, and no doubt the girl has been foolish. A girl is, you know; and you are big enough to have taken her eye. But there will be no marriage; Christina is to marry a Boer.'
"'So you object to an Englishman?' sneered the other.
"'Yes,' said the old man.
"'What have you against the English?'
"'In general, nothing at all. I have found them brave men and good fighters; at Potchefstroom I killed three. But,' and the old man held up his forefinger, 'I will not have one in my family.'
"'I see,' said the other. 'So you refuse me your daughter?'
"'Yes,' answered the father.
"'So be it,' returned the stranger, turning to the door. 'In that case I shall take her without your leave.' And off he went at a canter, never looking back.