I would
have said long ago had I only had the opportunity; and--and--

"Go on, Miss Della," said the General, though he moved uneasily in his
chair.

"General Delville, I, of course, am not unaware of your intentions with
regard to myself, or the object of your visits at papa's house. I would
not pain you for the world, sir; I esteem you, I _love_ you so very
much; but I want to tell you openly, as my heart dictates, that I have
not for you the love that a wife should feel for her husband--only the
love that a child should feel for a dear father; and if I married you, I
could never feel for you anything more."

The General sat before her, looking all the astonishment he felt, but
said not a word. Della went on, with flushed cheek and fluttering heart,
but with voice calm and steady.

"Indeed, sir, I feel for you all the earnest esteem, all the warm,
enduring affection, which a knowledge of your character cannot fail to
inspire one with, especially one so very much younger than yourself as
I. But as for that love which would make me truthfully perform the
marriage vows, I do not experience it, and never can. I have never,
since the first evening I met you, sir, intended in the least to
encourage any particular attention on your part for myself. The
encouragement, which I will admit has been by no means slight, you must
acknowledge has been entirely on the part of my parents."

"And that is where a gentleman looks for encouragement, Miss Delancey."

"Most unfortunately, too true, sir; but in this instance I cannot
conform to such a code of ethics, and give you a heart beating always
indifferently for you. I set the case before you as it is. I tell you
the _truth_, which I have longed to do long since, but _could_ not; and
now, knowing this, can you wish to make me your bride? I am sure you
cannot. Still, if you persist, here is my hand, given in obedience to my
parents."

The hand was taken, and held fondly against the stout heart beside her;
and for a moment neither spoke--the old man looking thoughtfully upon
the floor--the young girl gazing anxiously into his expressive face.

"Deep as is my disappointment, Miss Della, I cannot but confess that you
have acted nobly. You have even won my heart closer in the last half
hour than ever before. You have done what I would never have expected
you would do; and, though I am the sufferer, I honor--I admire you for
it. True, I am an old man; I could never have _seemed_ o