character of an unscrupulous tradesman with dark ends of his own to
serve. "Do what you will, but understand that I forbid all communication
between you and my niece, and that the sooner you cease to trespass upon
a hospitality which you have abused, the better I shall be pleased."

"I will go at once," said Alan, rising, "before my temper gets the
better of me and I tell you some truths that I might regret, for after
all you are Barbara's uncle. But on your part I ask you to understand
that I refuse to cut off from my cousin, who is of full age and has
promised to be my wife," and he turned to go.

"Stop a minute, Alan," said Barbara, who all this while had sat silent.
"I have something to say which I wish you to hear. You told us just now,
uncle, that you have other views for me, by which you meant that you
wish me to marry Sir Robert Aylward, whom, as you are probably aware, I
refused definitely this afternoon. Now I wish to make it clear at once
that no earthly power will induce me to take as a husband a man whom I
dislike, and whose wealth, of which you think so much, has in my opinion
been dishonestly acquired."

"What are you saying?" broke in her uncle furiously. "He has been my
partner for years, you are reflecting upon me."

"I am sorry, uncle, but I withdraw nothing. Even if Alan here were dead,
I would not marry that man, and perhaps you will make him understand
this," she added with emphasis. "Indeed I had sooner die myself. You
told us also that if I marry against your will, you can take away all
the property that my father left to me. Uncle, I shall not give you that
satisfaction. I shall wait until I am twenty-five and do what I please
with myself and my fortune. Lastly, you said that you forbade us to see