“I will never set my foot inside the Haugh,” Rupert said, firmly.  “My lady mother may leave her lands where she will; but if I am to have them only at the price of being the humble servant of this new father-in-law, I care not for them.  He has an evil face, grandfather, and I hated him before I knew what he came for.”

“My boy,” Colonel Holliday said, “we have all many things to go through in life that we like not.  This is your trial, and I trust that you will come out of it worthily.  Your respect and duty are due to your mother.  If you will not feign gladness that you do not feel, I do not blame you; but when she tells you the news, answer her with that respect which you owe her.  She has a clear right to choose for herself.  She is still a comely dame, and no one will blame her for taking another husband.  To me and to you the thing may seem hard, even unnatural, but it is not so.  I like Sir William no more than you do.  Report says that he has deeply dipped into his estates over the dice box; and your lady mother’s estates, and the sum that many years of quiet living has enabled her to save, are doubtless items which he has not overlooked.”

Rupert remained for some time silent.

“I will be perfectly respectful to my mother,” he said, “but I will not disguise my feelings.  If I did so at first, it would in the end be useless, for Sir William I could never treat with respect.  Sooner or later a quarrel would come, and I may therefore as well have it understood first as last.  The estates I care for only because they were part of the Chace, and I know that they will never be mine if this match is made.  You feel that yourself, do you not, sir?”

“Yes,” the colonel said, reluctantly, “I have felt that all along.”

“Very well, sir,” Rupert said; “in that case I have nothing to gain by affecting a satisfaction at this match.  I shall respectfully but firmly warn my mother against it, and tell her that if she persists in it I will never put my foot under the roof of Sir William Brownlow.”

The next morning the servant brought word to Rupert, that Mistress Holliday wished to speak to him in her room.  Knowing what was coming, Rupert went with slow steps and a heavy heart to the little drawing room which was known as madam’s room.

“Rupert,” she said, as he stood respectfully before her, “I have sent for you to tell you that I have accepted the offer of marriage of Sir William Brownlow.  Sir William has much court influence, and will be able to do you much service, and he has promised me to look upon you as a son of his own.”

“Madam.”  Rupert said, calmly and respectfully, “that you should marry Sir William Brownlow is a matter as to which, alas!  I have no right to say aught.  I trust that the marriage will bring you happiness, although my mind sorely misgives me as to whether it will be so.  As to myself, I decline Sir William’s offer of protection.  It is enough for me that my fathers have for generations owned Windthorpe Chace.  Come what may, madam, I neither acknowledge Sir William as my father, nor do I put a foot under his roof.”