"It is my own, miserable man that I am!"
The silence that followed was very brief, but to him it was like a long and terrible oblivion. Then upon the darkness in which his soul was wrapped broke a silver line of light, so inexpressively sweet, so exquisitely painful, that his heart almost ceased to beat.
"Father!"
Her arms were round his neck, but he fell on the ground at her feet, and cried humbly for forgiveness.
"Father, you have something more to tell me!"
"Yes, my dear child. You must be made acquainted with what has passed, so that you may be prepared. You will hear what I have to tell bravely, will you not, my child?"
"It is about Alfred!" she cried, in great agitation.
"It is; I know where he is. I have seen him. I went to him when I left you awhile ago."
She started to her feet, and looked about tremblingly for her mantle.
"I must go to him at once. Come! Why do we stop here?"