re about. And just you listen to me; he shan't
marry you, not if he breaks his heart over it. I ain't a man that thinks
much of breaking hearts. You and he may talk what nonsense you like, but
you shan't marry my boy; no, not if there wasn't another woman in the
world."

"He has asked me," said Phoebe; "but I certainly did not ask him. You
must give your orders to your son, Mr. Copperhead. You have no right to
dictate to me. Grandpapa, I think you and I have had enough for
to-night."

With this Phoebe began to close the shutters, which had been left open,
and to put away books and things which were lying about. Tozer made a
feeble attempt to stop her energetic proceedings.

"Talk to the gentleman, Phoebe, if Mr. Copperhead 'as anything to say to
you--don't, don't you go and offend him, my dear!" the old man cried in
an anxious whisper; and then he raised himself from the chair, in which
he had sunk exhausted by the unusual commotions to which he had been
subjected. "I am sure, sir," Tozer began, "it ain't my wish, nor the
wish o' my family, to do anything as is against your wishes--"

"Grandpapa," said Phoebe, interrupting him ruthlessly, "Mr. Copperhead's
wishes may be a rule to his own family, but they are not to be a rule to
yours. For my part I won't submit to it. Let him take his son away if he
pleases--or if he can," she added, turning round upon Clarence with a
smile. "Mr. Clarence Copperhead is as free as I am to go or to stay."

"By Jove!" cried that young man, who had been hanging in the background,
dark and miserable. He came close up to her, and caught first her sleeve
and then her elbow; the contact seemed to give him strength. "Look here,
sir," he said, ingratiatingly, "we don't want to offend you--_I_ don't
want to fly in your face; but I can't go on having coaches for ever, and
here's the only one in the world that can do the business instead of
coaches. Phoebe knows I'm fond of her, but that's neither here nor there.
Here is the one that can make something of me. I ain't clever, you know
it as well as I do--but she is. I don't mind going into parliament,
making speeches and that sort of thing, if I've got her to back me up.
But without her I'll never do anything, without her you may put me in a
cupboard, as you've often said. Let me have her, and I'll make a figure,
and do you credit. I can't say any fairer," said Clarence, taking the
rest of her arm into his grasp, and holding her hand. He was stup