"Yes. He knows nothing of course. I have scarcely slept a wink all
night, Virginia. I feel dreadfully nervous. What _will_ he say?"

I got back into bed and drew the clothes up to my chin in an affectation
of composure. But I was overwhelmed by the news. His opposition seemed a
much more serious consideration than when regarded by moonlight. A
visit from him at any other time would not have been a surprise, for he
had said he should run down to Tinker's Reach at his first leisure
moment.

My aunt stood at the foot of the bed, watching my face and expecting me
to speak.

"What do you mean to do about it?" she asked.

"Tell him," I replied.

"I suppose you might put it off until you return to town, especially if
you would make up your mind to see very little of Mr. Dale in the mean
time."

"No. It is best to have it over and done with. I want it settled now and
forever." I felt my courage hardening.

"Well, Heaven bless you, child!" she said, kissing me. "You must admit,
Virginia, that I have warned you all along that your father was opposed
to Mr. Dale."

"It is not your fault in any way, Aunt Helen. I shall tell him so."

She left me, and I dressed deliberately. There was evidently no escape
from the situation. But upon one point I was perfectly decided: nothing
should induce me to give up Roger. I was ready to postpone our wedding
for the present, or to humor my father's objections in any reasonable
way. But renounce him, never! Having arrived at this determination I
went downstairs. My father was eating his breakfast, and I waited until
he was comfortably settled with a cigar on the sofa, before making my
confession. Aunt Helen had taken the precaution to absent herself from
the room. I began bravely:--

"Father, there is something I wish to tell you that interests me very
deeply."

He removed the cigar, and looked at me inquiringly. I saw he did not
suspect the truth.

"I am engaged to be married to Mr. Roger Dale. You must not be angry,
father," I continued hastily. "You cannot help liking him when you know
him better. He is worthy of me in every way."

I ventured to look at him; he was smoking with quick, nervous puffs that
betokened great excitement.

"Bah!" he cried presently. "Bah! what a fool I have been! I might have
known it would end in some such way as this. No girl ever had a better
opportunity than you, and yet you are ready to sacrifice everything for
the sake of a fellow who is no mor