your innocent heart may find itself opening to the dawn of new
sensations. Between us, my child, there can be no secret that my love
will not discover."

His daughter's eyes looked inquiringly into his own, as if asking an
explanation of the enigma. But all of a sudden, as if a ray had darted
unexpectedly into her soul, she threw her arms around the old man's neck
and hid her face in his bosom.

"Oh, father! beloved father," murmured she, "your kindness is
unbounded!"

For some moments the old gentleman did not put aside the affectionate
caresses of his child; but by degrees his expression became gloomy;
tears started into his eyes, and he said, in broken tones,--

"Lenora, whatever may happen to us in life, thou wilt always love thy
father thus, wilt thou not?"

"Always, always, father!'

"Lenora, my child," continued he, with a sigh, "thy tender affection is
my only recompense and happiness here below: never deprive my soul of
its consolation!"

The sad tone in which these words were uttered touched the maiden's
heart so deeply that she took her father's hands, without saying a
syllable, and wept in silence with her head in his bosom.

For a long time they remained thus motionless, absorbed by a feeling