and kissed it.

"Nay, nay, thy lips burn me, and I hate thee for it!" She wiped her
hand upon her dress, and turned her head from Janet's bosom and cast a
scornful glance through her tears.

"I love her, Janet, and she hates me. Her father gave her to me to
love and guard and--marry, 'tis in the letter so; and she shall--"

"Thou talkest too strong to so young a maid; thou must remember that
she is but fifteen, and never used to beaux. Thou art the first man
beside her father to so much as touch her hand."

"She fifteen, 'tis not possible!" and his enamoured glance swept her
form,--"'tis not possible." Mistress Katherine's colour blenched and
heightened, for the ardent masculine eyes made her like and hate
in turn; his countenance glowed with warm youthfulness which both
attracted and repulsed her; and she hid her face again upon Janet's
shoulder.

"'Tis rather young to become wife, but I cannot live away from her, I
must have her."

"Nay, thou must wait until she is past sixteen, and knows her own
mind."

"I cannot wait, Janet, I am too inflammable, she consumes me with her
beauty."

"Then I had better take her where thou canst not see her."

"Nay, nay, she shall not leave me for a day nor hour. She is mine
absolutely, and I'll have her. I have found what is more precious
than all else to me." As Katherine's eyes were hid, Janet placed her
fingers upon her lips, enjoining silence upon the passionate man
before her. 'Twas a simple thing, but Cedric knew from that moment
he had gained a powerful ally. He rose to his feet, and, in softened
tones, continued,--"'Tis the first time I have ever loved, and 'tis
natural I should be impetuous;" then in a tone that was full of
magnanimity,--"I will give thee time to rest from thy long journey
before we buy the wedding garments, I will give thee a whole week."
Then 'twas that Katherine spoke,--

"A whole week, indeed, I shall not marry thee at all, never, I hate
thee. Thou wilt give me my heritage and I will go from thy house; my
father gave it and me into thy father's care not thine, I will write
to him at once and tell him of this terrible mistake."

"Thy father is--" he caught himself in time.

"Thy father is--what?" And she looked at him closely.

"Is too far away over seas, and--might be hard to find."

"Then I will go to him."

"Thou wilt remain where thou art."

"Thou talkest like foolish children. 'Twould better become thee to
prattle of frocks and f