256 THE puritan's daughteb. 



done her? the gentleman who stands beside you sliall perform the cere- 

 mony, and I will answer for it this time, that he is duly qualified — what 

 say you, Sir ?" 



" That I will not be forced into a marriage by so outrageous an act 

 as that which brought me here." 



" Then so be it. Sir Ralph, I am sorry for the young man's obstinacy, 

 but the injury he has done your daughter will soon be avenged. It was 

 not as he, like a fool ahd knave, supposes, to redress her wrongs, that he 

 was seized upon, but I have waited patiently until the plots, in which 

 bimsfelf and father are engaged, were sufficiently ripe to prevent Sir 

 Edward Everleigh again escaping ; and, now I have them safe within rtiy 

 clutches, a few short hours will be all that remains to the youngster, to 

 repent his ill deeds." 



Mark Eveleigh was staggered at this announcement : he had thought 

 that his false tnarriage alone was discovered, never for an instant dream- 

 ing that his plans had been from time to time betrayed in all their dif- 

 ferent stages, and unluckily, he too well knew that this time his father 

 ■was deeply compromised by them. 



" I am willing," said the stranger, " in consideration of my poor 

 friend. Sir Ralph, to loosen somewhat the bonds of justice, and on condi- 

 tion that you instantly make his daughter your wife, to allow yourself 

 and father to quit for ever a country which will be but too happy in the 

 riddance ; do you consent to this ?" 



Mark Eveleigh paused an instant, but consideration was useless ; he 

 was like a beast at bay, and must submit to any terms that offered life. 

 "And if I do," he replied, " what then ?" 



" You shall quit the country in safety now, but the next time you set. 

 J'our foot bn these shores, hope not for mercy, for by the Lord you will 

 not find it — " 



" Then I must consent." 

 ■" Must !" 



." Well then, I do, since my words are so minced." 

 ''If, Sir Ralph, you will send for your daughter, there need be no de- 

 lay, for time is precious to us all." 



When Grace entered the room she was startled at seeing it filled with 

 armed men, and for an instant drew back ; but when her eye rested oii 

 young Eveleigh, and she perceived he was a prisoner, she sprang for- 

 ward, and throwing her arms round him, as if she would offer her vain 

 protection, from the force arrayed against him, she exclaimed : — 



" Oh, my father ! do not harm him, even though he be opposed to those 

 of your party." She looked to her father, but his glance was fierce and 

 angry, and the stranger's usual stern looks were even more gloomy 

 than was their custom. None spoke, and even the soldiers rested on 

 their arms, scarce drawing their breaths, so intently were they watching 

 the scene, rendering the silence almost awful. Mark stood upright with 

 an air of determination and defiance. " Tell me, Mark, what all this 

 means ; but, gracious heavens ! I never saw you look so, ere now. Do 

 not fear them, they will not harm you, for sooner than they should do 

 so, I would tell them all — and then my father would love and cherish you 

 "as myself — it is not in his nature to bear ill will against any one" 

 " My pretty maiden," said the stranger, advancing towards her; 



