“’Tis rather young to become wife, but I cannot live away from her, I must have her.”

“Nay, thou must wait until she is past sixteen, and knows her own mind.”

“I cannot wait, Janet, I am too inflammable, she consumes me with her beauty.”

“Then I had better take her where thou canst not see her.”

“Nay, nay, she shall not leave me for a day nor hour.  She is mine absolutely, and I’ll have her.  I have found what is more precious than all else to me.”  As Katherine’s eyes were hid, Janet placed her fingers upon her lips, enjoining silence upon the passionate man before her.  ’Twas a simple thing, but Cedric knew from that moment he had gained a powerful ally.  He rose to his feet, and, in softened tones, continued,—­“’Tis the first time I have ever loved, and ’tis natural I should be impetuous;” then in a tone that was full of magnanimity,—­“I will give thee time to rest from thy long journey before we buy the wedding garments, I will give thee a whole week.”  Then ’twas that Katherine spoke,—­

“A whole week, indeed, I shall not marry thee at all, never, I hate thee.  Thou wilt give me my heritage and I will go from thy house; my father gave it and me into thy father’s care not thine, I will write to him at once and tell him of this terrible mistake.”

“Thy father is—­” he caught himself in time.

“Thy father is—­what?” And she looked at him closely.

“Is too far away over seas, and—­might be hard to find.”

“Then I will go to him.”

“Thou wilt remain where thou art.”

“Thou talkest like foolish children.  ’Twould better become thee to prattle of frocks and fixings for my Lady Penwick.  Your Lordship will see to it at once?” It was a happy suggestion.  Cedric leant over Katherine.

“Come, tell me what thou wilt have from London town? thou shalt have all thy heart asks for.”

“Thou art generous with my belongings.”  ’Twas an unfriendly cut.

“Come, Mistress, what will thou have, make out a list and I will send it by a courier.”

“I prefer to go myself.”

“I have guests and cannot go with thee at the present,—­and thou canst not go without me; but thou shalt have the more for this very cause.  Come, tell me thy heart’s desire.  Be good to me Kate, I love thee so; I must tell thee, it cuts me to the quick to have thee so set against me.  Thou wilt espouse me some day, sweet one?” Katherine stood up and shot a withering glance full upon him.

“Nay, nay, nay,—­thou wilt let me go from thee!”

“I beg thy pardon, Mistress Penwick, I will urge thee no more now; but tell me thy wishes.  Thou will have first of all, a beautiful hat with feathers reaching to thy shoulder-tips, and dainty brocade gowns with boots of the same hue, and jewelled fans, and ribbons and laces and all kinds of furbelows, and I will give thee to-day some jewels, rings, and—­”