And he did try ?" "Yes, papa; and when I told him you had forbidden me to listen to such things, he said you had given him leave to speak about it to me; and that surprised me more than his speaking.

You didn't want me to say yes, father ?" "No, daughter; no, indeed! I should not have let him speak if I had not been very sure that my dear child loved me too well to leave me for him or anybody else." "Oh, I am so glad!" she exclaimed with a sigh of relief and laying her head down on his breast, "though I couldn't believe that my dear father wanted to be rid of me, or felt willing that I should love anybody else better than I love him." "No, dear daughter, you need never be afraid of that.

But, now, good-night.

Go at once to your bed, for you are looking very weary." She obeyed, slept sweetly and peacefully till her usual hour for rising, and, as was her usual custom, joined her father in a stroll about the grounds before the breakfast hour.
"How would you and Grace like to have your friends Eva and Sydney here for a few days, daughter ?" he asked as they paced along side by side.
"Oh, I think it would be very pleasant, papa!" she answered in a joyous tone.

"I know Gracie would like it, and I think Sydney would, too.