Alas! if it were so. If she cannot draw a high
inspiration from the affection which must be her loftiest sentiment,
what shall be her safeguard, and who her champion?
In the course of ten days or a fortnight, Aunt Margaret announced that
the condition of her head would admit of traveling, and the
long-expected tour began. But the more important consequences of
Cornelia's fashionable experiences had already taken place.
CHAPTER XVII.
SOPHIE'S CONFESSION.
Sophie did not stay long in the invalid's room after the awakening they
had undergone with respect to one another. She went instinctively to her
father's study, and, entering the open door, kissed the old man ere he
was well aware of her presence. He took her affectionately upon his
knee, and hugged her up to him with homely tenderness.
"My precious little daughter!" quoth he; "what would your old father do
without you?"
"Am I so much to you, papa?" asked she, with her cheek resting upon his
shoulder.
"Very much--very much, Sophie: too much, perhaps; for I don't see how I
could bear to lose you."
"Do you mean to have me die, papa?"
"How is your sick boy getting along?" returned the professor, clearing
his throat, and not seeming to hear his daughter's words.
Pages:
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206