At one moment, in a vision of dread, she saw his armed hand striking at her lover--at the next she felt that he could never have struck the blow, and that there was an unsolved mystery behind it all.

Never were two innocent human beings so utterly deceived, each about the other.
"Father," she said, at last, in a trembling tone, "can you not speak to me, if I can find heart to hear you ?" "What can we two say to each other ?" he asked sternly.

"Why did you stop me?
I am ready to die for killing the man who ruined you.

I am glad.

Why should I say anything to you, and what words can you have for me?
I hope your end may come quickly, with such peace as you can find from your shame at the last.