Although he idolized the girl, Keziah knew that he would never countenance such a marriage.

And if Nat stood by Grace, as he would be almost sure to do, the breach between father and son would widen beyond healing.

If it were merely a matter of personal selection, Mrs.Coffin would rather have seen her parson marry Grace than anyone else on earth.

As it was, such a match must not be.

It meant ruin for both.