heart, and then to her lips, covering it with kisses and tears, while
great bursting sobs shook her whole frame.

"Oh, papa! dear, _dear_ papa! I _do love_ you! indeed, _indeed_ I do. Oh,
how could you say such cruel words to me?" she sobbed.

"Hush!" he said, withdrawing his hand. "I will have nothing but the truth
from you, and 'actions speak louder than words.' Get up immediately, and
dry your tears. Miss Day tells me that you are ruining your eyes by
continual crying; and if I hear any more such complaints, I shall punish
you severely. I will not allow it at all, for you have nothing whatever
to make you unhappy but your own misconduct. Just as soon as you are
ready to submit to my authority, you will find yourself treated with the
same indulgence and affection as formerly; but remember, _not till_
then!"

His words were like daggers to the affectionate, sensitive child. Had he
stabbed her to the heart he could not have hurt her more.

"Oh, papa!" she murmured in heart-broken accents, as in obedience to his
command she rose to her feet, struggling hard to keep back the tears he
had forbidden her to shed.

But her emotion did not seem to move him. Her conduct during his severe
illness had been so misrepresented to him, that at times he was wellnigh
convinced that her seeming affection was all hypocrisy, and that she
really regarded him only in the light of a tyrant, from whose authority
she would be glad to escape in any way.

"Pick up your flower and leave the room," he said. "I have no desire for