more of a coward than other men. But he didn't heed
the threat. His grandfather know. Nothing else was in his stunned mind.
He stood staring--unable to get a word past his lips. Casely spoke,
louder--

"What ails you? Have I to hit you?"

Then the young fellow found his voice.

"I wish you would. I wish you would kill me where I stand. I'm all in
the wrong, and I have no right to answer you. It began well--I mean, I
meant no harm. Never any man dared offer one of us a blow before, but it
has come to that now. I wouldn't lift a hand to stop you. I haven't an
excuse to give you."

"A nice thing it is for your father's son to be standing slavering there
and cowering to me like a whelp. I don't despise you for it, for I know
what you mean; but isn't it bonny? You haven't an excuse! Have you
nothing else--not a promise like them you've made to the lass?"

"I'd marry her now, but I know it would be a hundred thousand times
worse for her than if she married a common sailor man. I'm past
wretchedness. It couldn't be."

"And what about her? And, what about me? How is it for us? Now, look
you, my fine young man! I'll not stop a minute longer, or else there'll
be murder. But I'll tell you this much. I know as well as you there can
be nothing more. I'm not mad. She can't marry you, and you knew that
before you started lying to her. It's all over, and we must face the
folk in the place the best way we can. You're sorry, I see you are; but
understand this--sorry or not, if it wasn't that me and my forebears has
had nothing but good from them that went before you, and was better than
you, I'd kill you now, and reckon you no more than a herring. You'd
better get away out of my sight."

Then Mr. Casely tramped towards the wicket, and went home. He sat long
into the night, and when he went to bed he flung himself on the coverlid
with his clothes on. Towards morning he said aloud--"I'm glad he didn't
think to offer me money. If he had, I would have pulled his windpipe
out."

The young gentleman thus alluded to by Mr. Casely had gone home in a
state of stupefaction. He did not attempt to frame a thought. His limbs
took him along mechanically. He passed one of his aunts as he went to
his room, but he did not make any sign. When he had settled down, a tap
came at his door.

"Mr. Ellington'll have dinner laid for him in his study. He wants to see
you, Sir, in the study as soon after dinner as possible."

Young Ellington heard th