In her heart there was only one cry--one wild cry: "Buck! Buck! Buck!" By a great effort, she at last arose from her chair.

Her father saw the marblelike pallor of her face, and, touched by this sign of distress, he came over, put his arms about her and kissed her.

Her cheek, against which he pressed his lips, seemed cold as ice.
"Don't be foolish, dear!" he pleaded.

"You shouldn't grieve over a man who is so manifestly unworthy of you.

You know that I love you, and that I haven't said these things to give you pain, but because it is my duty as your father.