What would you ask ?" The girl appeared powerless to proceed.

She tried to speak and stopped, withdrawing her words and framing them afresh, as though fearful of the bluntness of her own inquiry.

Her companion perceived her distress, and coming to her relief with a cheerier tone, he said,-- "Don't fear to ask, Rotha.

I think I can guess your question.

You want to know if--" "Ralph," the girl broke in hurriedly--she could better bear to say the word herself than to hear him say it--"Ralph, he is my father, and that has been enough.