They were away from mankind in the shelter of the woods, the birds gayly
carolling their matins above them.

"And you desire to become his wife?"

Neck, face, and ears were suffused with color as she faltered unsteadily,
--

"Oh, Father, he loves me." Then at the wonder of it, she exclaimed,
throwing her arms about his neck impulsively and hiding her face in his
shoulder, "I am so happy, so happy! It seems almost too beautiful to be
true."

The old man's trembling hand smoothed the soft little tendrils of hair that
had escaped from their pins. He stifled a groan as he was thus disarmed.

"And what," she asked, her sweet eyes holding his as she stepped back,
"what do you think of Herbert Kemp, M. D.? Will you be proud of your
son-in-law, Father darling?"

Levice's hand fell suddenly on her shoulder. He schooled himself to smile
quietly upon her.

"Dr. Kemp is a great friend of mine. He is a gentleman whom all the world
honors, not only for his professional worth, but for his manly qualities.
I am not surprised that you love him, nor yet that he loves you--except for
one thing."

"And that?" she asked, smiling confidently at him.