"I forgive you, dear," she said feebly. "BUT I HOPE YOU WILL BE A KINDER
FATHER THAN A HUSBAND."

These quiet words, spoken with rare gravity and softness, went through
the great heart like a knife.

He gave a sort of shiver, but said not a word.

But that night he made a solemn vow to God that no harsh word from his
lips should ever again strike a being so weak, so loving, and so beyond
his comprehension. Why look for courage and candor in a creature so
timid and shy, she could not even tell her husband THAT until, with her
subtle sense, she saw he had discovered it?




CHAPTER XII.


To be a father; to have an image of his darling Rosa, and a fruit of
their love to live and work for: this gave the sore heart a heavenly
glow, and elasticity to bear. Should this dear object be born to an
inheritance of debt, of poverty? Never.

He began to act as if he was even now a father. He entreated Rosa not to
trouble or vex herself; he would look into their finances, and set all
straight.