"My father!"

"Do I love thee?"

"Yes, yes."

"Dost thou, then, love me?"

She put her arms round his neck, and laid her cheek against his, and

kissed him many times.

"Wilt thou go away and leave me, and leave thy mother, in our old age?

My heart thou would break. My gray hairs to the grave would go in

sorrow. Katrijntje, my dear, dear child, what for me, and for thy

mother, wilt thou do?"

"Thy wish--if I can."

Then he told her of the provision made for her future. He reminded her

of Neil's long affection, and of her satisfaction with it until Hyde had

wooed her from her love and her duty. And, remembering the elder's

reproach on his want of explicitness, he added, "To-morrow, about thy

own house, I will take the first step. Near my house it shall be; and

when I walk in my garden, in thy garden I will see thee, and only a

little fence shall be between us. And at the feast of St. Nicholas thou

shalt be married; for then thy sisters will be here, thy sisters Anna

and Cornelia. And money, plenty of money, I will give thee; and all that

is proper thy mother and thee shall buy. But no more, no more at all,

shalt thou see or speak to that bad man who has so beguiled thee."

At this remark Katherine sadly shook her head; and Lysbet's face so

plainly expressed caution, that Joris somewhat modified his last order,

"That is, little one, no more until the feast of St. Nicholas. Then thou

wilt be married and then it is good, if it is safe, to forgive all

wrongs, and to begin again with all the world in peace and good living.

Wilt thou these things promise me? me and thy mother?"

"Richard I must see once more. That is what I ask."

"Richard! So far is it?"

She did not answer; and Joris rose, and looked at the girl's mother

inquiringly. Her face expressed assent; and he said reluctantly, "Well,

then, I will as easy make it as I can. Once more, and for one hour, thou

may see him. But I lay it on thee to tell him the truth, for this and

for all other time."

"Now may I go? He is a-nigh. His boat I hear at the landing;" and she

stood up, intent, listening, with her fair head lifted, and her wet eyes

fixed on the distance.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024