My father was suffering at that time under the illness which afterward caused his death.

He was quite unfit to interfere." "Was there no one else who could help you ?" "No one." "No lady in whom you could confide ?" "I had acquaintances among the ladies in the neighborhood.

I had no friends." "What did you do, then ?" "Nothing.

I hesitated; I put off coming to an explanation with him, unfortunately, until it was too late." "What do you mean by too late ?" "You shall hear.

I ought to have told you that Richard Wardour is in the navy--" "Indeed! I am more interested in him than ever.