"I know what you would say; there is no priest here in this wild country: true, neither is there any law to bind; still must some ceremony pass between you, to satisfy a father. Will you consent to marry her after my fashion? if so, I will marry you directly."
"I will," replied my father.
"Then take her by the hand. Now, Mynheer, swear."
"I swear," repeated my father.
"By all the spirits of the Hartz Mountains——"
"Nay, why not by Heaven?" interrupted my father.
"Because it is not my humour," rejoined Wilfred; "if I prefer that oath, less binding perhaps, than another, surely you will not thwart me."
"Well, be it so then; have your humour. Will you make me swear by that in which I do not believe?"
"Yet many do so, who in outward appearance are Christians," rejoined Wilfred; "say, will you be married, or shall I take my daughter away with me?"
"Proceed," replied my father, impatiently.