Castle Marleigh. Unnatural though I may seem, sweetheart, my
dying wish is that this may be so."

She looked up in some surprise.

"Father, if that be all that grieves you, I can reassure you.
I do not love Kenneth."

"You apprehend me amiss," said he tartly. "Do you recall the
story of Sir Crispin Galliard's life that you had from Kenneth
on the night of Joseph's return?" His voice shook as he put
the question.

"Why, yes. I am not like to forget it, and nightly do I pray,"
she went on, her tongue outrunning discretion and betraying her
feelings for Galliard, "that God may punish those murderers who
wrecked his existence."

"Hush, girl," he whispered in a quavering voice. "You know not
what you say."

"Indeed I do; and as there is a just God my prayer shall be
answered."

"Cynthia," he wailed. His eyes were wild, and the hand that
rested in hers trembled violently. "Do you know that it is
against your father and your father's brother that you invoke
God's vengeance?"

She had been kneeling at his bedside; but now, when he