imagine that young hearts are to be directed here
or there according to your wish or whim? You know better; and that we
cannot govern ourselves in such matters. I leave here for sea in a few
days' time, and I tell you what I have told her; that I bind her by no
promises, that I ask nothing, merely time--time to clear away these
clouds that overshadow our youth--"

"Have you nearly finished?" exclaimed Sir Murray, interrupting him; and
his old mocking smile appeared upon his face.

"Yes," said Brace, sadly; "I have done, Sir Murray. I hope some day
that you will know me better. But I tell you this: that so long as life
is in me I'll never give her up; and, what is more," he added fiercely,
"I know she will be true to me, even without the tie of promise or
troth!"

"I told you that this was my last arrow, and I fly it reluctantly,"
hissed Sir Murray, as he leaned towards the young man; "before I loose
the string, I ask you will you give up all pretension to the hand of
that child?"

"No!" exclaimed Brace.

"It is an arrow whose flight will be sharp and aim sure, young man. I
warn you that it will quiver in your heart, and its barbs will rankle
there for life. Once more, will you give her up, and come here no
more?"

"No!"

"Will you not for your mothers sake? But there, I know the baseness of
your heart. Isa Gernon, and the prospect of Merland Castle and its many
acres, are not to be given up so easily. I knew your answer; but, in a
fit of madness, I thought I would give you, as you are young, one chance
of playing the honourable man. You will not give her up, then?"

"No--_no_! Are you a demon? Why do you tempt me like this?" cried
Brace.

"Yes," said Sir Murray, leaning closer and closer towards the young man,
whose hot words he did not seem to have heard, so drawn and strange was
his aspect--"yes, you will give her up, and I will tell you why: I hate
her--yes, bitterly as I hate you; but I have some feeling yet left in
me, and I will not see this wrong done. Look here: your path is across
the sea; go, and at once. Yours is an honourable calling; try and root
out all the base, and be an honourable man. Do not come near Merland
again for years; but before you go, write to Isa, and tell her that you
give her up, that all is at an end, and that a union is impossible. You
have influence with the weak child: tell her, then, as your wish, that
she should raise no objection to the match I propose."