The Green Mummy - Page 49/191

"He will not: I shall not allow him to. He has lost too much already."

"In that case I must apply to Sir Frank Random."

"Well, apply," she snapped, being decidedly angry; "it's none of my

business. I don't want to hear anything about it."

"It is your business, miss," cried Braddock, growing angry in his turn

and becoming very pink; "you know that only by getting you to marry

Random can I procure the money."

"Oh!" said Lucy coldly. "So this is why you sent for me. Now, father, I

have had enough of this. You gave your consent to Archie being engaged

to me in exchange for one thousand pounds. As I love him I shall abide

by the word you gave. If I had not loved him I should have refused to

marry him. You understand?"

"I understand that I have a very obstinate girl to deal with. You shall

marry as I choose."

"I shall do nothing of the sort. You have no right to dictate my choice

of a husband."

"No right, when I am your father?"

"You are not my father: merely my step-father--merely a relation by

marriage. I am of age. I can do as I like, and intend to."

"But, Lucy," implored Braddock, changing his tune, "think."

"I have thought. I marry Archie."

"But he is poor and Random is rich."

"I don't care. I love Archie and I don't love Frank."

"Would you have me lose the mummy for ever?"

"Yes, I would, if my misery is to be the price of its restoration. Why

should I sell myself to a man I care nothing about, just because you

want a musty, fusty old corpse? Now I am going." Lucy walked to the

door. "I shan't listen to another word. And if you bother me again, I

shall marry Archie at once and leave the house."

"I can make you leave it in any case, you ungrateful girl," bellowed

Braddock, who was purple with rage, never having a very good temper at

the best of times. "Look what I have done for you!"

Miss Kendal could have pointed out that her step-father had done nothing

save attend to himself. But she disdained such an argument, and

without another word opened the door and walked out. Almost immediately

afterwards Cockatoo entered, much to the relief of the Professor, who

relieved his feelings by kicking the unfortunate Kanaka. Then he sat

down again to consider ways and means of obtaining the necessary mummy

and still more necessary money.