"Always with my blessing, child. One thing more: did Dr. Kemp mention
anything of this to you?"

"No; he must have forgotten it as I did, or rather, if I ever thought of
it, it was a mere passing shadow. I put it aside with the thought that
though you and I had never discussed such a circumstance, judging by all
your other actions in our relations with Christians, you would be above
considering such a thing a serious obstacle to two people's happiness."

"You see, when it comes to action, my broad views dwindle down to detail,
and I am only an old man with old-fashioned ideas. However, I shall remind
Dr. Kemp of this grave consideration, and then--you will not object to
this?"

"Oh, no; but I know--I know--" What did she know except of the greatness of
his love that would annihilate all her father's forebodings?

"Yes," her father answered the half-spoken thought; "I know too. But
ponder this well, as I shall insist on his doing; then, on Monday night,
when you have both satisfactorily answered to each other every phase of
this terrible difference, I shall have nothing more to say."

Love is so selfish. Ruth, hugging her happiness, failed, as she had never
failed before, to mark the wearied voice, the pale face, and the sad eyes
of her father.

"Your mother will soon be awake," he said; "had you not better go back?"

Something that she had expected was wanting in this meeting; she looked at