e will
not mind it if they do. Eh, Will?"

"Just now, dear, in a little while."

"Will, dear Will! what did that card mean,--the one Ulfar's friend
gave? You will not go near Ulfar, Will? Please do not!"

"I have a bit of business to settle with him, Aspatria, and then I
never want to see his face again."

"Will, you must not go."

"Ay, but I must. I have been thought of with a lot of bad names, but
no one shall think 'coward' of me."

"Will, remember all I have suffered to-day."

"I am not likely to forget it."

"That ride home, Will, was as if I was going up Calvary. My
wedding-dress was heavy as a cross, and that foolish wreath of flowers
was a wreath of cruel thorns. I was pitied and scorned, till I felt
as if my heart--my real heart--was all bruised and torn. I have
suffered so much, Will, spare me more suffering. Will! Will! for your
little sister's sake, put that card in the fire, and stay here, right
here with me."

"My lass! my dear lass, you cannot tell what you are asking."

"I am asking you to give up your revenge. I know that is a great thing
for a man to do. But, Will, dear, you stand in father's place, you are
sitting in father's chair; what would he say to you?"

"He would say, 'Give the rascal a good thrashing, Will. When a man
wrongs a woman, there is no other punishment for him. Thrash him to
within an inch of his cruel, selfish, contemptible life!' That is what
father would say, Aspatria. I know it, I feel it."

"If you will not give up your revenge for me, nor yet for father, then
I ask you for mother's sake! What would mother say to-night if she
were here?--very like she is here. Listen to her, Will. She is
saying, 'Spare my little girl any more sorrow and shame, Will, my boy
Will!'--that is what mother would say. And if you hurt Ulfar you hurt
me also, and if Ulfar hurts you my heart will break. The fell-side is
ringing now with my troubles. If I have any more, I will go away where
no one can find me. For mother's sake, Will! For mother's sake!"

The strong man was sobbing behind his hands, the struggle was a
terrific one. Brune watched it with tears streaming unconsciously down
his cheeks. Aspatria sunk at Will's feet, and buried her face on his
knees.

"For mother's sake, Will! Let Ulfar go free."

"My dear little lass, I cannot!"

"For mother's sake, Will! I am speaking for mother! For mother's
sake!"

"I--I--Oh, what shall I do, Brune?"

"For mother's sake, Will!"

H