never approve of him as a son-in-law. Besides, I have other views
for you--long-cherished views--which I hope you will not disappoint.'

'I don't know what you mean by that, papa; but I know that I can
never marry any one except Mr. Egerton. I may never marry at all, if
you refuse to change your decision upon this subject; but I am quite
sure I shall never be the wife of any one else.'

Her father looked at her angrily. That hard expression about the
lower part of the face, which I had noticed in his portrait and in
himself from the very first, was intensified to-day. He looked a
stern resolute man, whose will was not to be moved by a daughter's
pleading.

'We shall see about that by and by,' he said. 'I am not going to
have my plans defeated by a girl's folly. I have been a very
indulgent father, but I am not a weak or yielding one. You will have
to obey me, Milly, or you will find yourself a substantial sufferer
by and by.'

'If you mean that you will disinherit me, papa, I am quite willing
that you should do that,' Milly answered resolutely. 'Perhaps you
think Mr. Egerton cares for my fortune. Put him to the test, papa.
Tell him that you will give me nothing, and that be may take me on
that condition.'

Augusta Darrell turned upon her stepdaughter with a sudden look in
her face that was almost like a flame.

'Do you think him so disinterested?' she asked. 'Have you such