But this conversation annoys me; it must end!" And, so saying, he led Monsieur Denecker to the door and bade him farewell abruptly.

Be Vlierbeck returned to the parlor, fell into his chair and covered his brow with both hands, as a heavy groan burst from his breast, which heaved with almost hysterical emotion.

For a long time he remained silent and motionless; but soon his hands fell heavily on his knees, a deathly paleness overspread his face, and the room whirled around the heart-broken man.
Suddenly he heard footsteps in the chamber above, and, rousing himself by a strong effort, "Oh, God! my poor child!" cried he; "my poor Lenora! She comes! my punishment is not yet complete! I must break the heart of my own child; I must tear from it all its hopes, blot out its dream, behold it withered up with grief! Oh that I could escape this dreadful disclosure! Alas! What to say to her?
how to explain it ?" A bitter smile contracted his lips as he continued, with bitter irony:--"Ah! hide thy suffering, old man; rally thy strength; take courage! If thy heart is torn and bleeding,--if despair devours thy soul,--oh, smile, still smile! Yes! your life has been a continual farce! Yet, miserable abortion that thou art, what canst thou do but submit, yield without a fight, and bow thy neck to the yoke like a powerless slave?
Begone, rebellious feeling! Be silent, and behold thy child!" Lenora opened the door and ran to her father, her questioning eyes fixed on his with a look of hope.

All of poor De Vlierbeck's efforts to disguise his suffering were unsuccessful, and Lenora soon read in his face that he was a prey to some overwhelming sorrow.

As he still obstinately kept silence, she began to tremble, and asked, with feverish impatience,-- "Well, father,--well,--have you _nothing_ to say to me ?" "Alas! my child," said he, sighing, "we are not happy.