od's mercy he saved her
life, you do not desire that he should share her life. Is it not true?"

"Yes, it is true, Mynheer Quatermain. You English are bullies and
cheats," he answered excitedly.

"And so you would give your daughter to one who has shown himself humble
and upright, to that good hater of the English and plotter against his
King, Hernando Pereira, whom you love because he alone is left of your
ancient race."

Remembering the incident of the afternoon, this sarcasm reduced Marais
to silence.

"Well," went on my father, "although I am fond of Marie, and know her
to be a sweet and noble-hearted girl, neither do I wish that she should
marry my son. I would see him wed to some English woman, and not dragged
into the net of the Boers and their plottings. Still, it is plain that
these two love each other with heart and soul, as doubtless it has
been decreed that they should love. This being so, I tell you that to
separate them and force another marriage upon one of them is a crime
before God, of which, I am sure, He will take note and pay it back to
you. Strange things may happen in those lands whither you go, Henri
Marais. Will you not, then, be content to leave your child in safe
keeping?"

"Never!" shouted Marais. "She shall accompany me to a new home, which is
not under the shadow of your accursed British flag."

"Then I have no more to say. On your head be it here and hereafter,"
replied my father solemnly.

Now unable to control myself any longer I broke in:

"But I have, mynheer. To separate Marie and myself is a sin, and one
that will break her heart. As for my poverty, I have something, more
perhaps than you think, and in this rich country wealth can be earned
by those who work, as I would do for her sake. The man to whom you would
give her showed his true nature this day, for he who can play so low
a trick to win a wager, will play worse tricks to win greater things.
Moreover, the scheme must fail since Marie will not marry him."

"I say she shall," replied Marais; "and that whether she does or not,
she shall accompany me and not stay here to be the wife of an English
boy."

"Accompany you I will, father, and share your fortunes to the last. But
marry Hernando Pereira I will not," said Marie quietly.

"Perhaps, mynheer," I added, "days may come when once again you will be
glad of the help of an 'English boy.'"

The words were spoken at random, a kind of ejaculation from the heart,
caused