in
her softest voice, and addressing her father, "there is no reason why
we should not finish our business with Mr. Cossey."

Here Harold and George turned to go. She waved them back imperiously,
and began speaking before any one could interfere, taking up her
speech where she had broken it off when she caught sight of the
Colonel and George coming up the steps.

"I can no longer hesitate," she said, "but once and for all I decline
to marry you, Mr. Cossey, and I hope that I shall never see your face
again."

At this announcement the bewildered Squire put his hand to his head.
Edward Cossey staggered visibly and rested himself against the table,
while George murmured audibly, "That's a good job."

"Listen," said Ida, rising from her chair, her dark eyes flashing as
the shadow of all the shame and agony that she had undergone rose up
within her mind. "Listen, Mr. Cossey," and she pointed her finger at
him; "this is the history of our connection. Some months ago I was so
foolish as to ask your help in the matter of the mortgages which your
bank was calling in. You then practically made terms that if it should
at any time be your wish I should become engaged to you; and I, seeing
no option, accepted. Then, in the interval, while it was inconvenient
to you to enforce those terms, I gave my affection elsewhere. But when
you, having deserted the lady who stood in your way--no, do not
interrupt me, I know it, I know it all, I know it from her own lips--
came forward and claimed my promise, I was forced to consent. But a
loophole of escape presented itself and I availed myself of it. What
followed? You again became possessed of power over my father and this
place, you insulted the man I loved, you resorted to every expedient
that the law would allow to torture my father and myself. You set your
lawyers upon us like dogs upon a hare, you held ruin over us and again
and again you offered me money, as much money as I wished, if only I
would sell myself to you. And then you bided your time, leaving
despair to do its work.

"I saw the toils closing round us. I knew that if I did not yield my
father would be driven from his home in his old age, and that the
place he loved would pass to strangers--would pass to you. No, father,
do not stop me, I /will/ speak my mind!

"And at last I determined that cost what it might I would yield.
Whether I could have carried out my determination God only knows. I
almost think that I should h