Of course, such tricks never succeed; I might have known it.

But there, that's the truth of the matter, and I'm easier now--now I've told it.' Her heart bled for him, so dreadful to her ears was the choking of his voice upon the last words.

At the same time she was hot with anguish of shame.

He stood before her a wretched culprit, hiding his guilt with lie upon lie; he, her father, whom she had reverenced so, had compassionated so, whom she loved despairingly.

She could not raise her head; she could not speak.