Her father was my father's friend.

My friend too, God knows; for almost with his dying breath he gave sanction to my marrying his daughter, if it should ever be that she should care for me in that way.

But he wished me to wait, and, till she was old enough to choose, to leave her free.

For she is several years younger than I am; and I am not very old yet--except in heart! All this, you understand, was said in private to me; none other knew it.

None knew of it even till this moment when I tell you that such a thing has been.' He paused; the other said: 'Believe me that I value your confidence, beyond all words!' Harold felt already the good effects of being able to speak of his pent-up trouble.
Already this freedom from the nightmare loneliness of his own thoughts seemed to be freeing his very soul.
'I honestly kept to his wishes.