"Mr.Clare has been as heartless as usual--Mr.Clare has said No ?" Her father turned on her with a sudden severity, so entirely unparalleled in her experience of him that she started back in downright terror.
"Magdalen!" he said; "whenever you speak of my old friend and neighbor again, bear this in mind: Mr.Clare has just laid me under an obligation which I shall remember gratefully to the end of my life." He stopped suddenly after saying those remarkable words.

Seeing that he had startled her, his natural kindness prompted him instantly to soften the reproof, and to end the suspense from which she was plainly suffering.

"Give me a kiss, my love," he resumed; "and I'll tell you in return that Mr.Clare has said-YES." She attempted to thank him; but the sudden luxury of relief was too much for her.

She could only cling round his neck in silence.

He felt her trembling from head to foot, and said a few words to calm her.