Your presence here is offensive to me and distressful to my niece.' As he said these words, he passed his arm about the waist of the terrified and weeping girl, and drew her closer to him; and though the habitual severity of his manner was scarcely changed, there was yet apparent in the action an air of kindness and sympathy for her distress.
'Mr Haredale,' said Edward, 'your arm encircles her on whom I have set my every hope and thought, and to purchase one minute's happiness for whom I would gladly lay down my life; this house is the casket that holds the precious jewel of my existence.

Your niece has plighted her faith to me, and I have plighted mine to her.

What have I done that you should hold me in this light esteem, and give me these discourteous words ?' 'You have done that, sir,' answered Mr Haredale, 'which must be undone.
You have tied a lover'-knot here which must be cut asunder.

Take good heed of what I say.Must.I cancel the bond between ye.

I reject you, and all of your kith and kin--all the false, hollow, heartless stock.' 'High words, sir,' said Edward, scornfully.
'Words of purpose and meaning, as you will find,' replied the other.
'Lay them to heart.' 'Lay you then, these,' said Edward.