t, and he refuses it, will you marry me
then, dear Netta, dear, dear cousin?'

Howel fixed his large, piercing eyes upon Netta, who coloured and
trembled, and murmured, 'Oh, Howel, I don't know--how can I?'

'How can you? Who is to prevent you? We can marry and go abroad, and
return and ask pardon, and I will take a fine house, and they will be
only too proud to own us?'

'Not father, Howel, unless--'

'Unless I become a steady fellow, and settle down, as I mean to do, if
you will marry me. But if you refuse me, I shall just go on as I am, or
put an end to my wretched life perhaps.'

'Howel, don't be so wicked,' cried Netta, bursting into tears.

'Then, Netta, you must give me your promise to be mine, whether your
father consents or not, whenever I write you word, through my mother,
that I will have a carriage ready at the corner near the turnpike. But I
can settle all particulars at the proper time, provided only you
promise. Remember, you have told me hundreds of times that you will be
my wife, and neither father nor mother should prevent it.'

'I do not know--I cannot tell whether it would be right.'

'Not right to save me from destruction, to make me what I ought to be,
to cleave to your husband as if he were yourself, in spite of parents or
relations! I am sure, Netta, that you are taught to do all this;
besides, you cannot help it, if you love me. You know that I would have
married you when I had nothing, as readily as I will now that I have
tens of thousands, and surely this deserves a return?'

Netta began to sob.

'You know how it is, Howel. I am afraid of father, and could not bear to
annoy mother, but--'

'But you love me better still, Netta; so do not cry, and we will be as
happy as the day is long. Will you promise me?'

Netta sobbed on and hesitated.

'I am going to London to-morrow, cousin Netta, to pay debts, and make
myself clear of the world. If you will promise, in a few months I will
return for you; we will travel, we will do anything in the world you
like; I shall have plenty of money, I shall probably write a book when
we are abroad, which will make me famous as well as rich; we will come
home and astonish the world. If you do not promise, I shall never come
here again, and shall probably live a gay, wretched life on the
continent, or elsewhere, and be really the good-for-nothing fellow I am
thought to be;--will you promise, dear cousin Netta?'

Howel knew well how to assume a mann