Then she threw herself at his knees and seized his hands; her face was
all torn with pain.

"And I cannot explain one word.... Father, I am in misery. You must pray
for me and have patience with me.... I must wait ... I must wait and see
what God wishes."

"Now, now...."

"Father, you will trust me, will you not?"

"Listen to me. You must tell me thus. Do you love this boy?"

"Yes, yes."

"And you have told him so? He asked you, I mean?"

"Yes."

He put her hands firmly from his knee.

"Then you must marry him, if matters can be arranged. It is what I
should wish. But I do not know--"

"Father, you do not understand--you do not understand. I tell you I am
willing enough, if he wishes it ... if he wishes it."

Again she seized his hands and held them. And again bewilderment came
down on him like a cloud.