"
"What Dane is that?" I interrupted. "Is his first name Stillman--nephew
of my old friend Harvey Dane, the publisher? Because, if that's so, I
know him; about twenty-eight years old; good family, good head, good
manners, good principles; just the right age and the right kind for
Peggy--a very fine fellow indeed."
"That makes no difference," continued Cyrus, fiercely. "I don't care
whose nephew he is, nor how old he is, nor what his manners are. My
point is that Peggy positively shall not be pushed, or inveigled, or
dragooned, or personally conducted into marrying anybody at all! Billy
and Alice were wandering around Charley's garden last Friday night, and
they report that Professor Dane was there with Peggy. Alice says that
she looked pale and drooping, 'like the Bride of Lammermoor.' There has
been enough of this meddling with my little Peggy, I say, and I'm to
blame for it. I don't know whether her heart is broken or not. I don't
know whether she still cares for that fellow Goward or not. I don't
know what she wants to do--but whatever it is she shall do it, I swear.
She sha'n't be cajoled off to Europe with Charles Edward and Lorraine
to be flung at the head of the first professor who turns up. I'll do my
duty by my little girl. She shall stay at home and be free. There has
been too much interference in this family, and I'm damned if I stand
any more; I'll interfere myself now.
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