"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.