Kate made no reply, but the lines about her mouth deepened. For a moment

he watched her silently; then he continued slowly, in low, nonchalant

tones: "I am positive that when I at last gain your consent to marry me,"--he

paused an instant to note the effect of his words, but there was not the

quiver of an eyelash on her part,--"even then, you will have the

audacity to tell me that you gave it for any other reason under heaven

than consideration for me or my wishes."

"Mr. Walcott," said Kate, facing him with sudden hauteur of tone and

manner, "you are correct. If ever I consent to marry you I can tell you

now as well as then my reason for doing so: it will be simply and solely

for my dear father's sake, for the love I bear him, out of consideration

for his wishes, and with no more thought of you than if you did not

exist."

Conflicting emotions filled Walcott's breast at these words, but he

preserved a calm, smiling exterior. He could not but admire Kate's

spirit; at the same time the thought flashed through his mind that this

apparent slip of a girl might prove rather difficult to "tame;" but he

reflected that the more difficult, the keener would be his enjoyment of

the final victory.

"A novel situation, surely!" he commented, with a low, musical laugh;

"decidedly unique!"

"But, my dear Miss Underwood," he continued, a moment later, "if your

love for your father and regard for his wishes are to constitute your

sole reasons for consenting to become my wife, why need you withhold

that consent longer? I am sure his wishes in the matter will remain

unchanged, as will also your love for him; why then should our marriage

be further delayed?"

"After what I have just told you, Mr. Walcott, do you still ask me to

be your wife?" Kate demanded, indignantly.

"I do, Miss Underwood; and, pardon me, I feel that you have trifled with

me long enough; I must have your answer."

She rose, drawing herself proudly to her full height.

"Take me to my father," she said, imperiously.

Walcott offered his arm, which she refused with a gesture of scorn, and

they proceeded to the adjoining room, where Mr. Underwood and his sister

were seated together before the fire. As Kate advanced towards her

father both looked up simultaneously, and each read in her white face

and proud bearing that a crisis was at hand. Mrs. Dean at once arose and

noiselessly withdrew from the room.

Walcott paused at a little distance from Mr. Underwood, assuming a

graceful attitude as he leaned languidly over the large chair just

vacated by Mrs. Dean, but Kate did not stop till she reached her

father's side, where she bowed coldly to Walcott to proceed with what he

had to say.




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