induced her to make terms with him to secure her own future, and to show him that she could stand in his way till he yielded to them.
"I never asked to have these children thrust down my throat, like the fish-bone that strangled Lady Godiva—no, who was it? Earl Godiva; but I thank my stars I never waded through Rollin, and most certainly kept my hands off Blair. Of course, Captain Coppinger, it is right and proper of you to address yourself to me, as the guardian of my niece, before speaking to her."
"I have spoken to her and she spurns me."
"Naturally, because you spoke to her before addressing me on the subject. My dear brother—I will do him this justice—was very emphatic on this point. But you see, sir, my consent can never be given."
"I do not ask your consent."
"Judith will never take you without it."
"Consent or no consent," said Coppinger, "that is a secondary matter. The first is, she does not like me, whereas I—I love her. I never loved a woman before. I knew not what love was. I laughed at the fools, as I took them to be, who sold themselves into the hands of women; but now, I cannot live without her. I can think of nothing but her all day. I am in a fever, and cannot sleep at night—all because she is tormenting me."
All at once, exhausted by his passion, desperate at seeing no chance of success, angry at being flouted by a child, he threw himself into the chair, and settled his chin on his breast, and folded his arms.
"Go on," said he. "Tell me what is my way out of this."
"You cannot expect my help or my advice, Captain, so as to forward what would be most unsatisfactory to me."
"What! do you grudge her to me?"
"Not that; but, if she were here, what would become of me? Should I be turned out into the cold at my age by this red-headed hussy, to find a home for myself with strangers? Here I never would abide with her as mistress, never."
"I care naught about you."
"No, of that I am aware, to my regret, sir; but that makes it all the more necessary for me to take care for myself."
