E. But you won't _see_ much of his _ancestors_.

ETHEL. He bears their name.

PIKE [with authority and dignity]. Yes--and it's the _name_ you want.
Nobody could look at you and not know it wasn't _him_. It's the _name_!
And I'd let you buy it if it would make you happy--if you didn't have to
take the people with it.

[A deepening of color in the light shows that it has grown to be late
afternoon, near sunset.]

ETHEL [angrily]. The "people"?

PIKE. Yes; the whole gang. Can't you see how they're counting on it?
It's in their faces, in their ways! This Earl--don't you see he's
counting on living on you? Do you think the son would get that
settlement? Why, a Terre Hut pickpocket could get it away from
_him_--let alone his old man! What do _you_ think would become of the
"settlement"?

ETHEL. Part of it would go to the restoration of Hawcastle Hall and part
to Glenwood Priory.

PIKE. Glenwood Priory?

ETHEL. That is part of the estate where Almeric and I will live until
Lord Hawcastle's death.

PIKE. Then mighty little settlement would come around "Glenwood Priory"!

[Speaks the name as though grimly amused, and continues.]

And this old lady--this Mrs. Creech you been travelling with--

ETHEL [sharply]. Lady Creech!

PIKE. All right! Don't you think _she's_ counting on it? And this French
lady that's with them; isn't she trying to land your brother? The whole
crowd is on the track of John Simpson's money.

ETHEL. Silence! You have no right to traduce them. Do you place no value
upon heredity, upon high birth?

PIKE. Why, I think so much of it that I know John Simpson's daughter
doesn't need anybody else's to help her out.

[He comes toward her, looking at her with honest admiration.]

She's fine enough and I think she's sweet enough--and I know from the
way she goes for me that she's _brave_ enough--to stand on her own feet!

ETHEL. This is beside the point; I know exactly what I want in
life--[she has been somewhat moved by his last speech, is agitated, and
a little breathless]--and I could not change now if it were otherwise. I
gave Almeric my promise, it was forever, and I shall keep it.

PIKE. But you can't; I'm not going to let you.

ETHEL. I throw your interference to the winds. I shall absolutely
disregard it. I shall marry without your consent.

PIKE [looking at her steadily]. Do you think _they'd_ let you?

ETHEL [in same tone]. I think _you'll_ let me [laughing], especially
after this