“Yes,” said my father in a solemn voice, speaking for the first time, “who knows except God, Who governs all things, and will settle these matters according to His will, Henri Marais?  Listen,” he went on after a pause, for Marais made no answer, but sat himself down and stared gloomily at the table.  “You do not wish my son to marry your daughter for various reasons, of which one is that you think him poor and a richer suitor has offered himself after a reverse of fortune has made you poor.  Another and a greater, the true reason, is his English blood, which you hate so much that, although by God’s mercy he saved her life, you do not desire that he should share her life.  Is it not true?”

“Yes, it is true, Mynheer Quatermain.  You English are bullies and cheats,” he answered excitedly.

“And so you would give your daughter to one who has shown himself humble and upright, to that good hater of the English and plotter against his King, Hernando Pereira, whom you love because he alone is left of your ancient race.”

Remembering the incident of the afternoon, this sarcasm reduced Marais to silence.

“Well,” went on my father, “although I am fond of Marie, and know her to be a sweet and noble-hearted girl, neither do I wish that she should marry my son.  I would see him wed to some English woman, and not dragged into the net of the Boers and their plottings.  Still, it is plain that these two love each other with heart and soul, as doubtless it has been decreed that they should love.  This being so, I tell you that to separate them and force another marriage upon one of them is a crime before God, of which, I am sure, He will take note and pay it back to you.  Strange things may happen in those lands whither you go, Henri Marais.  Will you not, then, be content to leave your child in safe keeping?”

“Never!” shouted Marais.  “She shall accompany me to a new home, which is not under the shadow of your accursed British flag.”

“Then I have no more to say.  On your head be it here and hereafter,” replied my father solemnly.

Now unable to control myself any longer I broke in: 

“But I have, mynheer.  To separate Marie and myself is a sin, and one that will break her heart.  As for my poverty, I have something, more perhaps than you think, and in this rich country wealth can be earned by those who work, as I would do for her sake.  The man to whom you would give her showed his true nature this day, for he who can play so low a trick to win a wager, will play worse tricks to win greater things.  Moreover, the scheme must fail since Marie will not marry him.”

“I say she shall,” replied Marais; “and that whether she does or not, she shall accompany me and not stay here to be the wife of an English boy.”

“Accompany you I will, father, and share your fortunes to the last.  But marry Hernando Pereira I will not,” said Marie quietly.