'She has taken him, and she shall marry him.'

'I cannot say that she has been right, father; but she deserves no
such punishment as that. Would you make her a wretched woman for
ever, because she has done wrong in striving to obey you?'

'She has not done wrong in striving to obey me. She has done right.
I do not believe a word of this.'

'You can ask her yourself.'

'I will ask her nothing,--except that she shall not speak to you any
farther about it. You have come here wilfully-minded to disturb us
all.'

'Father, that is unjust.'

'I say it is true. She was contented and happy before you came.
She loves the man, and is ready to marry him on the day fixed. Of
course she will marry him. You would not have us go back from our
word now?'

'Certainly I would. If he be a man, and she tells him that she
repents,--if she tells him all the truth, of course he will give her
back her troth. I would do so to any woman that only hinted that
she wished it.'

'No such hint shall be given. I will hear nothing of it. I shall
not speak to Marie on the subject,--except to desire her to have no