"This gentleman!" repeated Emily. "I had rather die a thousand deaths!"
"Then, madam, we shall be obliged to compel you to this step," replied
De Guy, stung by the scorn of Emily, and distrusting the energy of
Jaspar.
"Sir, your impertinence deserves a severer rebuke than I can
administer!" said Emily, the blood mounting to her face.
"But it must be even so, madam," returned the attorney coolly. "Fate has
so decreed. Your good uncle's circumstances imperatively demand it."
"Is this so, uncle?"
"It is, Emily. You must submit to your fate, unpleasant though it may
be," said Jaspar, looking at her with an absent stare.
"No, uncle, it shall not be so. I never will submit to such a fate. What
circumstances do you refer to?"
"I am in this man's power."
"God be with you, then! But I understand it all. He seeks my fortune,
not myself. I would rather he had the whole of it, than become such a
_thing_ as to marry that man!"
"Nay, lady, _you_ are of more worth to me than your fortune, large as it
is. I have contracted with your uncle for your hand, and he must pay the
price," said De Guy.
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