CHAPTER IX.
CLIPPING A BIRD'S WINGS.
The clouds were fast gathering over poor San Souci's heavens.
The commodore had quite recovered for the time being, and he began to
urge the marriage of his niece with his favorite. Dr. Grimshaw's
importunities were also becoming very tiresome. They were no longer a
jest. She could no longer divert herself with them. She felt them as a
real persecution, and expressed herself accordingly. To Grim she said:
"Once I used to laugh at you. But now I do hate you more than anything
in the universe! And I wish--I do wish that you were in heaven! for I do
detest the very sight of you--there!"
And to the commodore's furious threats she would answer:
"Uncle, the time has passed by centuries ago for forcing girls into
wedlock, thanks be to Christianity and civilization. You can't force me
to have Grim, and you had as well give up the wicked purpose," or words
to that effect.
One day when she had said something of the sort, the commodore answered,
cruelly:
"Very well, miss! I force no one, please to understand! But I afford my
protection and support only upon certain conditions, and withdraw them
when those conditions are not fulfilled! Neither you nor your mother had
any legal claim upon me.
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