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Then, as if mastered by a strong impulse, he clasped her to his heart, and said, in trembling tones, "Oh, Trurie, if I had lost you!" "I fear you would have lost me, papa, had it not been for Mr. Clifford." He paced the room for a few moments in agitation, and at last stopped before her and said: "Perhaps in a sense I am to lose you after all. Has Mr. Clifford spoken?"
"Was that all you supposed, Trurie?" "Indeed, papa, I told him I was going to town to-morrow, and he asked if he might call." "Did he speak of his object?" "No, papa. I'm sure it's quite natural he should call, and I have been packing." "Well, I can assure you that he has a very definite object.
"No, papa; he has only risked his life to save mine." "You are very grateful?" "Yes." "Do not think I underestimate his act, Trurie; but, believe me, if he should speak now or soon, you are in no condition to answer him." She smiled incredulously. "He did what any man would do for a woman in peril. He has no right to claim such an immense reward."
"Oh, papa, tell me what he did say;" and he felt her heart fluttering against his side like that of a frightened bird. "Why, Trurie, men have offered you love before." "But I never loved before, nor knew what it meant," she whispered. "Please don't keep me in suspense. This is all so strange, so sacred to me." "Well, Trurie, I hope your match may be one of those that are made in heaven.
If I saw that he was no more to you than others who have sought your favor, I would not say a word, Trurie, for when you are indifferent you are abundantly able to take care of yourself. I've been expecting this. I knew you would in time meet some one who would have the power to do more than amuse you, and my love, darling, is too deep and vigilant to be blind until it is too late to see.
He paid no heed to the costly furniture and costlier works of art. "Trurie was right," he muttered. "What power have these things to satisfy when the supreme need of the heart is unsatisfied? It seems as if I could not sleep to-night without seeing her. There is no use in disguising the truth that I'm losing her. Even on Christmas-eve she is absent.
Before leaving him she pleaded: "Do not make much of my danger to mamma. She is nervous, and not over-fond of the country at best. You know that a good many people survive in the country," she concluded, with a smile that was so winning and disarming that he shook his head at her as he replied: "Well, Trurie, I foresee what a lovingly obstinate little girl you are likely to prove.
"Trurie will never forget this moment," he mattered, as he knocked at her door, "nor my part in her little drama." O love, how it craves even the crumbs that fall from the table of its idol! "Trurie," he began, as he entered, "you had better dress. Bless me, I thought you were packing!" "I I was." "You were expecting some one?" "Mr. Clifford said he would call to bid me good-by, I suppose."
Best assured I shall never become engaged to any one without your consent; that is," she added, with another of her irresistible caresses, "unless you are very unreasonable, and I become very old." "Very well, Trurie, you shall go, with your mother's consent, and I think I can insure that. As you say, you are no longer a child."
Clifford," he said. Her color deepened, and she began, hastily, "Oh, well, papa, I've seen a good deal of a great many gentlemen." "Come, come, Trurie, no disguises with me. Your old father is not so blind as you think, and I've not lived to my time of life in ignorance of the truth that prevention is better than cure.
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