But now I have no alternative." "Whence is your authority derived ?" inquired Aveline, trembling as she put the question.
"From your dead father," said Sir Giles, sternly.

"His last solemn injunctions to you were, that you should wed the man to whom he had promised you; provided your hand were claimed by him within a year after his death.

With equal solemnity you bound yourself to fulfil his wishes.
The person to whom you were thus sacredly contracted is Sir Francis Mitchell; and now, in your father's name, and by your father's authority, he demands fulfilment of the solemn pledge." "O, this is wholly impossible!--I will not believe it!" almost shrieked Aveline, throwing herself into Dame Sherborne's arms.
"It is some wicked device to ensnare you, I am convinced," said the old lady, clasping her to her breast.

"But we defy them, as we do the Prince of Darkness, and all his iniquities.

Avoid thee, thou wicked old sinner!--thou worse than the benighted heathen! Get hence! I say, Sathanas!" she ejaculated to Sir Francis.
"Ay, I am well assured it is all a fabrication," said Anthony Rocke.