"It is not true!" she exclaimed. "It is not true.
Oh, Dr. von Horn how could you tell me such a cruel
and terrible untruth."

"As God is my judge, Virginia," and the man reverently
uncovered as he spoke, "it is the truth. Your father
told me it in so many words when I asked his permission
to pay court to you myself--you are to marry Number
Thirteen when his education is complete."

"I shall die first!" she cried.

"Why not accept me instead?" suggested the man.

For a moment Virginia looked straight into his eyes as
though to read his inmost soul.

"Let me have time to consider it, Doctor," she replied.
"I do not know that I care for you in that way at all."

"Think of Number Thirteen," he suggested. "It should
not be difficult to decide."

"I could not marry you simply to escape a worse fate,"
replied the girl. "I am not that cowardly--but let me
think it over. There can be no immediate danger, I am sure."

"One can never tell," replied von Horn, "what strange,
new vagaries may enter a crazed mind to dictate this