With an effort, he turned his face toward her, and smiled as naturally as though his mouth had been frozen.
"I'm an old man, you see, my dear: a surprise like this makes me feel it," he made shift to say, in an uncertain voice.

"So--you're engaged to each other ?" "We're waiting for you to say we may be, papa." "It is right--it is just!" said the professor, solemnly, though still with a sluggish utterance.

"I sought to glorify God to the end of mine own glorification, and lo! He hath taken from me my own heart's blood!" Swept off his feet by the profundity of his emotion, the ministerial form of speech, so long disused, rose naturally to the old man's lips.
But presently, the paralyzing effect of the shock beginning to wear off, he drew a few long breaths, and found himself growing very hot.

He took out his handkerchief and wiped away the perspiration that had gathered on his forehead.

Then he took his little daughter strongly yet tremblingly to his heart, and kissed her more than once.
"God bless you! my darling--my Sophie--you're my Sophie still, if you are in love with that--great overgrown rascal.