‘That is my desire, and I will do it, sir,’ I answered.

’So, you apothecary’s drudge, you will win name and place, will you!  Well, long before that deed is done the maid shall be safely wedded to one who has them and who is not unknown to you.  Daughter, say now that you have finished with him.’

‘I cannot say that, father,’ she replied, plucking at her robe.  ’If it is not your will that I should marry Thomas here, my duty is plain and I may not wed him.  But I am my own and no duty can make me marry where I will not.  While Thomas lives I am sworn to him and to no other man.’

‘At the least you have courage, hussey,’ said her father.  ’But listen now, either you will marry where and when I wish, or tramp it for your bread.  Ungrateful girl, did I breed you to flaunt me to my face?  Now for you, pill-box.  I will teach you to come kissing honest men’s daughters without their leave,’ and with a curse he rushed at me, stick aloft, to thrash me.

Then for the second time that day my quick blood boiled in me, and snatching up the Spaniard’s sword that lay upon the grass beside me, I held it at the point, for the game was changed, and I who had fought with cudgel against sword, must now fight with sword against cudgel.  And had it not been that Lily with a quick cry of fear struck my arm from beneath, causing the point of the sword to pass over his shoulder, I believe truly that I should then and there have pierced her father through, and ended my days early with a noose about my neck.

‘Are you mad?’ she cried.  ’And do you think to win me by slaying my father?  Throw down that sword, Thomas.’

‘As for winning you, it seems that there is small chance of it;’ I answered hotly, ’but I tell you this, not for the sake of all the maids upon the earth will I stand to be beaten with a stick like a scullion.’

‘And there I do not blame you, lad,’ said her father, more kindly.  ’I see that you also have courage which may serve you in good stead, and it was unworthy of me to call you “pill-box” in my anger.  Still, as I have said, the girl is not for you, so be gone and forget her as best you may, and if you value your life, never let me find you two kissing again.  And know that to-morrow I will have a word with your father on this matter.’

‘I will go since I must go,’ I answered, ’but, sir, I still hope to live to call your daughter wife.  Lily, farewell till these storms are overpast.’

‘Farewell, Thomas,’ she said weeping.  ’Forget me not and I will never forget my oath to you.’

Then taking Lily by the arm her father led her away.