"
Major Brockton looked very grave, for he was acquainted with
Whately's recklessness. The young man himself was simply speechless
from rage, but Mr. Baron sprang up and said sternly, "You shall hear
the whole truth, sir. It can be quickly told, and then you can judge
whether I, as guardian, am capable of countenancing anything
unwarranted by the highest sense of honor. This girl, my niece, has
been virtually betrothed to her cousin since childhood. I and her
aunts deemed it wisest and safest, in view of dangers threatening
the direst evils, that she should be married at once and escorted by
my sister and her son to the house of a relative residing further
south. First and last, we were considering her interests, and above
all, her safety. That's all."
"No, it is not all," cried Miss Lou, with a passionate pathos in her
voice which touched the major's heart. "Would you, sir, force a
girl, scarcely more than a child, to marry a man when you knew that
she would rather die first? Safety! What would I care for safety
after the worst had happened? I will not be married like a slave
girl.
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