I would rather go barren to my grave.

Ah! that is why Sir John Manners is a villain?
That is why a decisive step should be taken?
That is why you come to my father's house a-fortune-hunting?
After you have squandered your patrimony and have spent a dissolute youth in profligacy, after the women of the class you have known will have no more of you but choose younger men, you who are old enough to be my father come here and seek your fortune, as your father sought his, by marriage.

I do not believe that my father wishes me to--to marry you.

You have wheedled him into giving his consent when he was in his cups.

But even if he wished it with all his heart, I would not marry you." Then she turned and walked rapidly toward the Hall.
Her fierce words angered me; for in the light of my real intentions her scorn was uncalled for, and her language was insulting beyond endurance.
For a moment or two the hot blood rushed to my brain and rendered me incapable of intelligent thought.