Then, depositing Sophie upon her feet, he got slowly up, stretched himself, and went for his pipe.
"Run off, my dear.

Go up in your room, or out in the garden, or somewhere.

I must be alone a little while, you know; must think it all over, and see how things stand.

Besides, I must step in and see this fellow who's going to rob me of my daughter, and tell him what I think of him.

Come, off with you!" "You'll be happy about it--you'll forgive us, won't you, papa ?" she said, turning at the door.
The old gentleman shuffled heavily up to her, and kissed her on the forehead.
"God bless you, and God's will be done, my darling!" said he; but at that moment he could say no more.
An hour afterward, however, when the professor knocked the ashes out of his second pipe, and laid his hand upon the latch of Bressant's door, the expression upon his strongly-cut features was neither gloomy nor severe.