Free The Miller's Dance by Winston Graham

don't have a wife in any other port, and never have had.'
    'Good ... Tell me, if supposing you were to marry Clowance, how would you expect to support her?'
    'Somehow, wi' me own hands. All me life I've never lacked for work. Just now, as ye know, I'm part time at the mine, and I'm two days a week at St Ann's helping repair the q uay. ‘ Tis all a pittance, of course, but I'll find something d ifferent. Give me a little time.'
    Ross said: I must tell you, Stephen, I'm not a rich man -although it may seem so to you - by comparison, that is. I have a number of interests here and there in the county but they are all small. On my mining interests my prosperity-or lack of it—largely depends; and of the two mines I own, one is just paying expenses and liable to do less than that soon; the other is not yet in operation.'
    ‘ Next week, is it?'
    'Next week?'
    'For opening Wheal Leisure.'
    'Yes, I expect so.'
    'May that bring luck to us all!'
    'Indeed. ’
    Silence fell.
    ‘I wouldn't look for charity from you ... I've always supported meself , and, God willing, I can support Clowance too... Maybe not the way she's used to living but she says she don't mind that.'
    'Nor, I imagine, would she,' Ross said drily. 'Clowance has ever been one to live simply.'
    Then can I expect you to say yes?' Stephen asked.Ross moved to the side table and poured two glasses of French wine, recently run in from Roscoff. He brought one across to Stephen, who was on the point of refusing it and then changed his mind.
    ‘I think I must consult Clowance's mother before we go so far. I think there is no need to rush anything. We've known of course for some time of your attachment for Clowance and hers for you, but the idea of an early marriage is quite new. To us, if not to you. Let us talk of this a while before making any precipitate promises. Come to supper tomorrow. Let the matter be in the air, so to speak, for a week or two. I will talk to Clowance again... Taste this wine. It has been kept in barrel, they say, for three years.'
    Stephen tasted. He would have liked to stand up to this tall bony limping man and tell him his day was past, that he and his wife and people of their age were all back numbers, that the present and the future belonged to folk like himself and Clowance, that he was going to have Clowance whether or no, her whole body - every pale, firm, curving inch of it -and her whole mind, so that what he said she believed and that everything he did was right - and even her soul if need be. That if her father and mother put obstacles in their way they would be brushed aside like ornaments on a mantelpiece, splintering into little bits of china on the parlour floor. That he only had to crook his finger and beckon and Clow ance would follow him anywhere, and to hell with the consequences.
    He tasted the wine and held his tongue. He knew the strength of the Poldark ties, and he didn't want to snap them if it was not necessary. He genuinely loved Clowance and wanted her to be happy, and he sensed that she could not be totally happy if she married without her parents' approval. So in all ways it was better to conform, so long as they agreed to the marriage. Captain Poldark had great status in the county, if not all that much money, and he pleaded poverty too easily. To become the son-in-law of a Member of Parliament and a banker must sooner or later open doors. He, Stephen, wanted to be nobody's lackey or errand boy, and nothing would please him better than to make an entirely fresh start - and a home - for his wife independent of any help or favour. But if not, then the help or favour would probably be forthcoming, sooner or later. So long as the wedding was sooner and not later.
     
    'Oh noV said Clowance, a week later. 'I'm not eighteen till November!'
    'It will come,' said Ross.
    'Oh, Papa, that is impossible!'
    'Why?' Demelza asked.
    'Don't you see? I know I am young, but this - this has come upon me. It is not something...' she lowered