l disposed to attribute your foolish words to some trifling motive
of girlish coquetry or momentary pique. You have long been perfectly well
aware that you and your cousin were destined for each other; that I
solemnly promised the marriage should take place as soon as you were of
age; that all my plans and hopes for you centred in this one engagement. I
have not pressed the matter on your attention of late, because I knew you
had sense enough to appreciate your position, and because I believed you
would be guided by my wishes in this important affair. You are no longer a
child; I treat you as a reasonable woman, and now I tell you candidly it is
the one wish of my heart to see you Hugh's wife."

"Father, my happiness will not be promoted by this marriage, and if you are
actuated solely by this motive, allow me to remain just as I am. I should
be most miserable as Hugh's wife; most utterly miserable."

"Why so?"

"Father, my own feelings stand an everlasting barrier to our union. I do
not love Hugh, and--I must tell you, sir, that I think it wrong for cousins
to marry."

"You talk like a silly child; I thought you had more sense. Your objections
I have listened to; they are imaginary and trifling; and I ask you, as a
father has a right to ask his child, to waive these ridiculous notions, and
grant the only request I have ever made of you. Tell me, my daughter, that
you will consent to accept your cousin, and thereby make me happy."

He stooped and kissed her forehead, watching her countenance eagerly.

"Oh, father! do not ask this of me! Anything else! anything else."

"Answer me, my darling child; give me your promise."

His hold was painful, and an angry pant mingled with the pleading tones.
She raised her head and said slowly--

"My father, I cannot."

He threw her hand from him, and sprang up.

"Ingrate! do you mean to say that you will not fulfil a sacred
engagement?--that you will break an oath given to the dead."

"I do not hold myself bound by the oaths of another, though he were twice
my father. I am responsible for no acts but my own. I, only, can give
myself away. Why should you wish to force this marriage on me? Father, do
you think that a woman has no voice in a matter involving her happiness for
life?"

"Oh! I suspected that your cursed obstinacy would meet me here, as well as
elsewhere in your life. You have been a source of trouble and sorrow from
your birth; but the time has come to end all