n see her hand clasping a lattice
of the summer house.

"Why do you ask this? What right have you? There was never a promise
between us."

"The understanding has existed for ten years; never denied until now," he
protested hotly. "You knew I loved you; I've fought a dozen men on your
account--"

"True enough," she broke in, "you have challenged every gentleman who has
dared address me. Did you think such swash-buckling was going to win my
heart? Any girl possessing self-respect would revolt at such methods.
Whatever affection I may have felt for you as a boy has been driven from
me by these actions. You wanted a slave, a servant, not a companion, and
it is not in Mortimer blood to yield to every whim, to every crack of the
whip. I never loved you, never confessed I did. I tried to be obedient,
endeavored to like you to please my father, but this past winter has so
thoroughly revealed your real character that I will pretend no longer."

"My character! We have known each other from childhood. I know well
enough what has made the difference in you."

"Indeed!"

"Yes, indeed; it's that damned Continental spy."

"It has been some one all along according to your theory--any gentleman
who has shown me ordinary kindness. You have called out Captain Kincade,
Lieutenant Mathieson, Major Lang, and others, just to prove your
ownership of me. You have made me the laughingstock of Philadelphia. Now
it pleases you to select Major Lawrence with which to associate my name.
Because he danced with me once you felt justified in quarrelling with him
in my presence, in goading him into fighting you. It was the act of a
cowardly bully. Whatever respect I may once have had for you, Captain
Grant, has been dissipated this past winter."

"Can you tell me it is not Lawrence?"

"I could tell you, and very plainly, but I refuse to be questioned."

"Well, by Gad! I know without asking," and he sprang to his feet,
gripping her hand. "You've helped that fellow against me from the first.
I'll put up with it no longer. I came back here to-night desperate,
prepared to resort to any measures. I meant to give you a chance, and, by
heaven! I have. Do you think I am the sort of man you can play with? If I
can have you only by force then it is going to be that. Oh, don't try to
pull away! I've got you now just as I wanted you--alone! Your father is
not here, and that fool Seldon is busy enough out yonder. There is not
even a guard to interfere. Do