You English are bullies and cheats," he answered excitedly.
"And so you would give your daughter to one who has shown himself humble and upright, to that good hater of the English and plotter against his King, Hernando Pereira, whom you love because he alone is left of your ancient race." Remembering the incident of the afternoon, this sarcasm reduced Marais to silence.
"Well," went on my father, "although I am fond of Marie, and know her to be a sweet and noble-hearted girl, neither do I wish that she should marry my son.

I would see him wed to some English woman, and not dragged into the net of the Boers and their plottings.

Still, it is plain that these two love each other with heart and soul, as doubtless it has been decreed that they should love.

This being so, I tell you that to separate them and force another marriage upon one of them is a crime before God, of which, I am sure, He will take note and pay it back to you.

Strange things may happen in those lands whither you go, Henri Marais.