“So you are determined to defy me?” her uncle asked.
Now his voice was lower, but it seemed to be more menacing.
“I wish to marry – Lord Sheldon!”
He looked at her speculatively and his lips tightened.
“I have told Sheldon I will not permit it,” the General said, “but he will not take ‘no’ for an answer. You will therefore, Azalea, sit down at that table and write to him saying that you refuse to marry him and you have no wish to see him again.”
“You want me to – write – that?” Azalea asked incredulously.
“I order you to do so!”
“I refuse. I will not write lies, not even to please you! I want to marry him – I want to see him again – I love him!”
“And I intend that you shall obey me,” the General said firmly. “Will you write that letter, Azalea, or must I force you to do so?”
Azale
