"'It's too bad, Mark, that your love for Leah is so misplaced; but,
as I have told you before as mildly as possible, there are reasons
why her father would never consent--reasons that are unalterable.
Aside from poor Leah's unfortunate deformity, there--'

"'Deformity!' ejaculated Mark, in utter surprise, 'I would like to
know how she is deformed? She, the most perfect model that was ever
cast in mortal mould.'

"'Still, my friend, I feel that it is but just and proper that I
acquaint you with a painful fact; dear Leah is deformed.'

"'And how?' Mark uttered hoarsely.

"'She suffers from a spinal affection, that will in time render her
a hideous deformity, and perhaps a helpless, hopeless invalid.'

"'Merciful Heavens!' uttered Mark, with shocked and incredulous
expression, as he sat gazing into the fire. At length he said:

"'God knows how sorry I am to hear that, for I love her, love her
fondly!'

"Quickly discerning the effect of her story, my step-mother with
well-feigned feeling continued:

"'After Leah's school-term is ended, her father contemplates taking
her to Europe for medical advice and skill, and in case of
improvement, which is scarcely supposable or to be hoped for, he has