Page:Cuthbert Bede - The White Wife.djvu/28

Rh have the old man before the Sheriff for attempting to extort money. But it was in vain that the farmer swore and threatened, for the old man would not be put off until he had seen the farmer's son. The young man, it seemed, had gone to see his new lady-love, but, at that moment, came riding back in company with her father, the sea-captain.

Before the farmer could prevent him, the old man stepped forth to them, and saluting the son, said, "My daughter, your wife, has been put to bed of a lad." The young man was fairly taken aback, and stammered out to the sea-captain a very sorry explanation, that the old man was in liquor, and that his daughter was no better than she should be.

"My girl is what thou hast made her," said the old man; "and, as you have made her your wife in the sight of God, you shall take her as such before the eyes of men."

"The man speaks fair," said the sea-captain. "If he has got the truth, you are not the young man that I took you for, and my daughter will be well rid of your company." And, with that, although the farmer bade him stay, the sea-captain