*I  used  to  think  Pride  a  bad  thing.  I  thank  God
we  've  all  got  it  in  our  blood — the  Flemings.  I  thank
God  for  that  now,  I  do.  We  don't  face  again  them
as  we  offend.  Not,  that  is,  with  the  hand  out.  We
go.  We're  seen  no  more.  And  she'll  be  seen  no
more.     On  that,  rely.
'  I  want  my  girl  here  not  to  keep  me  in  the  fear  of
death.  For  I  fear  death  while  she 's  not  safe  in  some-
body's hands — kind,  if  I  can  get  him  for  her.  Some-
body— young  or  old ! '

The  farmer  lifted  his  head  for  the  first  time,  and
stared  vacantly  at  Robert.
*rd  marry  her,'  he  said,  *if  I  was  knowing  myself
dying  now  or  to-morrow  morning,  I'd  marry  her,
rather  than  leave  her  alone — I'd  marry  her  to  that
old  man,  old  Gammon.'

The  farmer  pointed  to  the  ceiling.  His  sombre
seriousness  cloaked  and  carried  even  that  suggestive
indication  to  the  possible  bridegroom's  age  and  habits,
and  all  things  associated  with  him,  through  the  gates
of  ridicule ;  and  there  was  no  laughter,  and  no  thought
of  it.
