Chapter 2: Setting out

William was outraged at this man. How dare he have the nerves to come between him and Ann.

"What's the problem with wanting some money, my boy?" Mr. Heathfax replied. "I need to survive in this world too."

William raised his hand to hit the old man.

"Don't call me your boy!" He lowered his hand in a swift movement aiming at Mr. Heathfax's face. But before the blow could be delivered, the old man grabbed his hand.

"You may not like me, William but you still owe me some respect." Mr. Heathfax was still holding Williams hand and started to tighten his grip. William was putting in all his effort to escape from the closing grip. His hand was starting to hurt. He was surprised at the power the old man still possessed. Finally, after a brief moment of pain, he got his hand free.

"I'm not your boy, Sir," William said in a voice that was quivering in anger.

"That's better," replied Mr. Heathfax. He turned his back on William.

"I will prove you that love is important, not money. I will go to France to obtain the holy water to cure your daughter's blindness. I will show you my devotion to Ann," William finally said with a voice not filled with anger but with determination.

"And then what?" Mr. Heathfax asked. "You still won't be rich, you might be poorer."

"By that time you will have realized the error in your decision, sir," William said. He was beginning to see that still plan might actually work.

Mr. Heathfax turned back towards William. "I will not give you my word you may marry my daughter. I think it will be unlikely, but even if you cure her, she will be married very fast. But not to you."

"That is a chance I am willing to take," William stated and walked out of the room determined to find a cure for Ann.

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Ann Heathfax was the daughter of a merchant. Mr. Heathfax had once been a wealthy man until he had lost most of his money when his ship carrying all his goods sank during a storm. He had tried to gain it back but money lost is hard to obtain back. Though Ann had had to sell most of her lavish dresses, she was still content. Though Ann could sometimes still feel the anger in her father's voice when he spoke to her, she still loved him. Ann was an only child. There had been a problem during her mother's pregnancy with her. She had died while giving birth to Ann. The fact that Ann had been blind didn't help ease her father's content with her. First off, Ann wasn't a boy; though she was pretty, it would be hard finding a suitable husband for her with her blindness; and she had been the cause of her mother's death. Her father had never really forgiven Ann for those faults. But Ann turned out to be a charming young girl. Especially when she met William.

Ann heard the door slam shut. She looked up startled. Her mind had been day dreaming about William It had been more than just a day dream. It was a memory, a pleasant one. William had taken here to a play, Romeo and Juliet. The words had been so vivid. She could picture the scenes in front of her eyes. William had held her hand through the entire play. She could even now still feel the warmth his hand had given her. The sweetness and warmth in his voice had penetrated every part of her body and still lingered. But the sound of the door had broken the dream. Like a knife it had cut through her memory.

A chill ran over her back. Normally she didn't react like this. But something seemed wrong.