an earnest and questioning look.

"It is Monsieur Denecker," continued he:--"the wealthy merchant, you
know, who sits near me at church and lives at the _chateau_ of
Echelpoel."

"Oh, yes! I remember him, father; he always speaks to me so kindly, and
never fails to help me from the carriage when we go to church."

"But your _eyes_ ask, I see, Lenora, whether he is coming _alone_.
_Another_ person will accompany him, my girl!"

"_Gustave!"_ exclaimed the maiden, involuntarily and blushing.

"Exactly! Gustave will be here," replied Monsieur De Vlierbeck. "Don't
tremble on that account, Lenora; and don't become frightened because
your innocent heart may find itself opening to the dawn of new
sensations. Between us, my child, there can be no secret that my love
will not discover."

His daughter's eyes looked inquiringly into his own, as if asking an
explanation of the enigma. But all of a sudden, as if a ray had darted
unexpectedly into her soul, she threw her arms around the old man's neck
and hid her face in his bosom.

"Oh, father! beloved father," murmured she, "your kindness is
unbounded!"

For some moments the old gentleman did not put aside the affectionate
caresses of his child; but by degrees his expression became gloomy;
tears started into his eyes, and he said, in broken tones,--

"Lenora, whatever may happen to us in life, thou wilt always love thy
father thus, wilt thou not?"

"Always, always, father!'

"Lenora, my child," continued he, with a sigh, "thy tender affection is
my only recompense and happiness here below: never deprive my soul of
its consolation!"

The sad tone in which these words were uttered touched the maiden's
heart so deeply that she took her father's hands, without saying a
syllable, and wept in silence with her head in his bosom.

For a long time they remained thus motionless, absorbed by a feeling
which was neither joy nor sorrow but seemed to acquire its power and
mastery by the mingling of these opposite sentiments.

Monsieur De Vlierbeck's expression was the first to change. His features
became severe as he bent his head downward reproachfully. In truth, the
strange words that started the tears into his daughter's eyes had
excited the reflection in his own mind that another person was, perhaps,
about to share his Lenora's love and probably to separate him from her
forever. He was ready for every sacrifice, were it even infinitely
greater, provided it contributed to th