not have hidden it all this time from your father." And Mr.
Carden sighed.

Grace burst out crying, and flung herself on her knees and clung,
sobbing, to him.

"There, there," said he, "I don't want to reproach you; but to advise
you."

"Oh, papa! Take and kill me. Do: I want to die."

"Foolish child! Be calm now; and let us talk sense."

At this moment there was a peculiar ring at the door, a ring not
violent, but vigorous.

Grace started and looked terrified: "Papa!" said she, "say what you
like to me, but do not affront HIM; for you might just as well take that
knife and stab your daughter to the heart. I love him so. Have pity on
me."

The servant announced "Mr. Little!"

Grace started up, and stood with her hand gripping the chair; her
cheek was pale, and her eyes glittered; she looked wild, and evidently
strained up to defend her lover.

All this did not escape Mr. Carden. He said gently, "Show him into the
library." Then to Grace as soon as the servant had retired, "Come here,
my child."

She knelt at his knees again, and turned her imploring, streaming eyes
up to him.

"Is it really so serious as all this?"

"Papa, words cannot tell you how I love. But if you affront him, and he
leaves me, you will see how I love him; you will know, by my grave-side,
how I love him."

"Then I suppose I must swallow my disappointment how I can."

"It shall be no disappointment; he will do you honor and me too."

"But he can't make a settlement on his wife, and no man shall marry my
daughter till he can do that."

"We can wait," said Grace, humbly.

"Yes, wait--till you and your love are both worn out."

"I shall wear out before my love."

Mr. Carden looked at her, as she knelt before him, and his heart was
very much softened. "Will you listen to reason at all?" said he.

"From you, I will, dear papa." She added, swiftly, "and then you will
listen to affection, will you not?"

"Yes. Promise me there shall be no formal engagement, and I will let him
come now and then."

This proposal, though not very pleasant, relieved Grace of such terrible
fears, that she consented eagerly.

Mr. Carden then kissed her, and rose, to go to young Little; but,
before he had taken three steps, she caught him by the arm, and said,
imploringly, "Pray remember while you are speaking to him that you would
not have me to bestow on any man but for him; for he saved my life, and
Mr. Coventry's too. Mr. Coventry forgets that: