ng terms with Mr. Copley. There are lots of houses where he could
not go. Even if I were fond of the man and could meet your wishes, it
would be a long time before certain of our neighbours forgave me. What
will you say when you meet them racing, or hunting, or shooting? Do you
suppose this thing can be kept quiet? Do you suppose everybody won't
know why I left home? Do you believe for a moment that common gossip
will not say that you turned your daughter out because she refused to
marry a man whom you declined to call upon for months after he came
here? I know such things happen in the case of boys, but I never yet
heard of a father in your position who sent his daughter away because
she refused to sell herself to a person whom she both disliked and
despised."

Sir George listened uncomfortably. He was violating all his best
feelings. He knew what a sorry figure he must be cutting in the eyes of
his daughter. Moreover, every word she said was true. This thing would
get out. It would be a dainty morsel in the mouths of all the gossips,
and, though he could rely upon May to be silent, other tongues would not
be bridled. But he comforted himself with the assurance that things
would never go as far as that, for when May saw that he was in earnest
she would yield. There might be tears and reproaches, but in the end she
would bow to his wishes, and though Copley was not popular, yet he would
be accepted in time on the strength of being Sir George Haredale's
son-in-law.

"There are reasons why this must be," he said. "I am under obligations
to Copley, under great obligations. Besides, he is paying you the
greatest compliment in his power. There are many girls----"

"Oh, what have the majority of girls to do with me? I am not like them.
I have not been trained in the same school. I know lots of my friends
regard matrimony as a matter of business. They are too idle and selfish
to think of anything but themselves. They would deem it a fine thing to
have the spending of Mr. Copley's money. But I detest the man too much
for that. He is not a gentleman, his manners are not good, and I am sure
he is neither honest nor straightforward. I would do anything in my
power to help you, but if it comes to this, that Haredale Park can only
be preserved to us by this hateful marriage, then I decline. It is too
great a sacrifice to ask of your daughter. Oh, how can you even make the
suggestion?"

"You will think better of it," Sir George s