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262 friend who professed to love her, although she was still too young for marriage, even if she had found a congenial mate.

When Ernestine was informed of this step she was in despair. Her independent spirit revolted at this wicked exercise of parental authority. She was only sixteen, but already old enough to realize what a terrible thing marriage without love could be. She was at a loss what to do, but fully determined that nothing should force her into so hateful a contract.

She determined first to appeal to the generosity of her would-be lover. She went to him, and stated the plain truth of the matter; told him she did not, and could not, love him, and begged him to release her, and to say to her father that he would by no means wed an unwilling bride. But he laughed in her face, and reminded her of the fact that by the terms of their betrothal she would forfeit a good share of the property which reverted to her from her dead mother, if the contract was broken by her;