“Oh, Daisy, my darling, tell me it is a horrid dream; tell me you are still my wife, and go with me to the home I have tried to make so pleasant for your sake.  It is not like Elmwood, but I will some time have one handsomer even than that, and I’ll work so hard for you!  Oh, Daisy, tell me you are sorry for the part you had in this fearful business, if, indeed, you had a part, and I’ll take you back so gladly!  Will you, Daisy? will you be my wife once more?  I shall never ask you again.  This is your last chance with me.  Reflect before you throw it away.”

Guy’s mood was changing a little, because of something he saw in Daisy’s face—­a drawing back from him when he spoke of marriage.

“Daisy must not go back with you; I shall not suffer that,” Mr. McDonald said, while Daisy, still keeping her arms around Guy’s neck, where she had put them when he drew her to him, replied: 

“Oh, Guy!  I can’t go with you now; but I shall like you always, and I’m so sorry for you.  I never wanted to be married; but if I must, I’d better have married Tom, or that old Chicago man; they would not feel so bad, and I’d rather hurt them than you.”

The utter childishness of the remark roused Guy, and with a gesture of impatience, he put Daisy from him, and, rising to his feet, said angrily: 

“This, then is your decision, and I accept it; but, Daisy, if you have in you a spark of true womanhood you will some time be sorry for this day’s work; while you!” and he turned fiercely upon Mr. McDonald—­“words cannot express the contempt I feel for you; and know, too, that I understand you fully, and am certain that were I the rich man I was when you gave your daughter to me, you would not have taken her away.  But I will waste no more words upon you.  You are a villain! and Daisy is—­” His white lips quivered a little as he hesitated a moment, and then added:  “Daisy was my wife.”

Then, without another word, he left the house, nor saw the white, frightened face which looked after him so wistfully until a turn in the street hid him from view.

CHAPTER VI

EXTRACTS FROM DIARIES

Extract 1st—­Mr. McDonald’s.

MAY ——.

Well, that matter is over, and I can’t say I am sorry, for the expression in that Thornton’s eye I do not care to meet a second time.  There was mischief in it, and it made one think of six-shooters and cold lead.  I never quite indorsed the man—­first, because he was not as rich as I would like Daisy’s husband to be, and, second, because even if he had been a millionaire it would have done me no good.  That he did not marry Daisy’s family, he made me fully understand, and for any good his money did me, I was as poor after the marriage as before.  Then he must needs lose all he had in that foolish way, and when I found that Daisy was not exceedingly