Chapter Nine Summary

Alexia's mother breaks in on the lovers at the beginning of Chapter Nine. Mrs. Loontwill is her usual hysterical self. She screams the house down and has everyone in the room to see Maccon and Alexia together. She demands a marriage. Alexia's father is afraid to demand anything. He knows he can't win against Maccon. While he is supposed to find a stand-in for him if it comes to a duel, no one would fight Maccon. Maccon's reputation made anyone consider how much they wanted to live. After a lot of hysteria from the family with the girls pointing out why Maccon would have to be forced to marry her, Maccon steps in and takes over. He does offer marriage and by this time had convinced himself that it was his idea. Of course, Alexia says no because she is not...