me this, Major Gilcrest: do you object to me personally,
or is your refusal due to other reasons? I'm of as good blood as
yourself, and I can maintain your daughter in comfort."

"Understand this, young sir, once for all," replied Gilcrest, "I
decline positively to accept any proposal from you. If you will have a
plain answer, I now tell you that aside from any other matrimonial
views which I may or may not have for my daughter, I should in any case
decline the honor of an alliance with you. I bid you good morning, sir.
Polly, open the door for Mr. Dudley."

From an upper window Betsy was watching for Abner; and the angry flush
on his face, and the way he flung himself into the saddle, told her
that he had fared ill. She raised the window, and he looked up. He
gazed at her yearningly, then, with a wave of his hand toward her
father's room, rode down the long avenue.

Betsy waited in her room an hour, then sought her father. He was
fumbling with some papers, too busy to take any notice of her. Finally,
as he would not speak, she went to him. "Father, why have you sent
Abner away?"

Major Gilcrest was proud of his only girl, and, in his own way,
extremely fond of her; but he would listen to no plea in behalf of her
lover. He gave no reason, but simply said that the young man was no
suitable match for her, and that she would one day be thankful that she
had not been allowed to marry him.

Betsy, at first gentle and pleading, grew indignant. Her father, even
more indignant, finally ordered her to her room, forbidding her to hold
further communication with her lover.

Next day, Abner wrote her. He assured her of his unchangeable love, and
bade her have courage. He wrote also to Major Gilcrest, stating that
although he would not at present seek Betsy or urge his claim in any
way, he nevertheless considered that they were pledged to one another,
and that he would never give her up unless she herself asked for her
release.

One day, a month after this, Betsy from her window saw Mr. Drane riding
up the avenue. She got her bonnet and stole out the back way to where
her horse was saddled. Coming back after a gallop, she met Abner, and
they rode together a short while. Then her father overtook them.
Without even a bow to her escort, Major Gilcrest told his daughter she
was wanted at home, and, laying hold of her bridle, compelled her to
ride on with him. This was intolerable to Betty's lover, and, after
tossing all night