"Sir," he said, "he did it for your behoof; he marries to perpetuate your stock."
"Sir," replied Holyday the father, "I can attend to that myself. I am taking a wife next Thursday; my rascal son would not seek one when I bade him; so I sent him packing; but now he shall come home and be kept out of mischief."
The goldsmith, coming up, ignored his brother, bowed stiffly to the latter's wife, and stood before Millicent, his hands open as if he would fain clutch her.
"Thou baggage, thou'rt caught in time! Thou shalt not sleep till thou'rt tied in marriage to Sir Peregrine." He made to grasp her by the arm.
"Touch me not!" she cried, with a sudden thought. "You have no power over me; I am married!"
Her father stared. Master Holyday, taken by surprise, said, emphatically:
"Not to me, that I'll take oath; so I am a free man, of a surety!"
Ravenshaw could have struck him down. But Millicent, after one crestfallen moment, said, quietly:
"Not to Master Holyday, certainly; but to this gentleman." And she went to the captain's side.
There was a moment's general silence, during which Sir Peregrine, overcome by his long exertion, leaned limply against a tree.