In a few moments, however, he recollected the circumstances that had taken place, and after heaving a deep sigh, he opened his arms for his daughter, and as he embraced her burst into tears.
"Helen," said he, "I am unhappy; I am distressed; I know not what to do!--may God forgive me if I have treated this young man with ingratitude.

But, at all events, a few days will clear it all up." His daughter was melted by the depth of his sorrow, and the more so as it was seldom she had seen him shed tears before.
"I would do every thing--anything to make you happy, my dear treasure," said he, "if I only knew how." "Dear papa," she replied, "of that I am conscious; and as a proof that the heart of your daughter is incapable of veiling a single thought that passes in it from a parent who loves her so well, I will place its most cherished secret in your own keeping.

I shall not be outdone even by you, dear papa, in generosity, in confidence, in affection.

Papa," she added, placing her head upon his bosom, whilst the tears flowed fast down her cheeks, "papa, I love William Reilly--love him with a pure and disinterested passion!--with a passion which I feel constitutes my destiny in this life--either for happiness or misery.

That passion is irrevocable.