This boy of his was worth something, he thought. He had a clear head of his own, and could speak to some purpose. Was a likely young fellow like this to be thrown away on that Challoner girl? Poor Nan! Pretty and blooming as she looked, Mr. Mayne felt almost as though he hated her. Why had she come between his boy and him? Had he a dozen sons, that he could spare one of them? Was not Dick his only one,—the son of his right hand, his sole hope and ambition? Mr. Mayne could have wept as these thoughts passed through his mind. 228
It was at this moment that Nan thought it right to speak. Dick had had his say, but it was not for her to be silent.
“Mr. Mayne, please listen to me a moment,” she said, pleadingly. “No; I must speak to your father,” as Dick, much alarmed, tried to silence her. “He must not think hard things of us, and misunderstand us.”
“No, dear; indeed you had better be silent!” implored Dick, anxiously; but Nan for once turned a deaf ear to him.
“I must speak,” she persisted. “Mr. Mayne, it is quite true what Dick says: we have been together all our lives, and have grown to care for each other. I cannot remember the time,”—the tears coming into her bright eyes—“when Dick was not more to me than a brother; it is all of such long standing, it is far, far too late to stop it now.”
“We shall see about that, Miss Nancy,” muttered Mr. Mayne, between his teeth; but the girl did not seem to hear him.
“Dick took me by surprise just now. I ought to have been more on my guard, and not have given him that promise.”
“What promise?” demanded Mr. Mayne, harshly; and Nan hung her head, and returned, shyly,—
“That I would marry him some time; but indeed—indeed he made me say it, and I was so taken by surprise. No, Dick; you must let me finish,” for Dick was looking at her with piteous entreaty in his eyes. “I know we were wrong to say so much without your leave; but indeed I will do your son no harm. I cannot marry any one else, because I am engaged to him; but as far as he is concerned he is free. I will never marry him without your permission; he shall not come here if you do not wish; but do not be so angry with us;” and here her lip quivered. “If you did not mean this to happen, you should have kept us apart all these years.”
“Oh, hush, dear!” whispered Dick in her ear; but Mr Mayne almost thrust him aside, and laid a rough grasp on the girl’s wrist. “Never mind him: answer me one question. Are you serious in what you say, that you will never marry him without my permission?”