“Oh, papa, dear, don’t, don’t! You are breaking my heart. I shall never marry,” sobbed the girl, as she laid her sweet young face by the thin, withered countenance on the pillow.
“Yes, you will, my pet. I wish it, when the right man comes, who loves you for yourself. Girls like you are too scarce to be wasted. But your uncle will watch over you, and see to that. You hear, Will?”
“Yes, I will do my duty by her.”
“I believe you.”
“But, papa dear, don’t talk more. The doctor said you must be kept so quiet.”
“I must wind up my affairs, my darling, and think of your future. I’ve had quite enough of the men hanging about after the rich banker’s daughter. When my will is proved, the drones and wasps will come swarming round you for the money. There is no one at all, yet, is there?” he said, with a searching look.
“Oh, no, papa, I never even thought of such a thing.”
“I know it, my darling. I’ve always been your sweetheart, and we’ve lived for one another, and I’m loth to leave you, dear.”
“Oh, father, dearest father, don’t talk of leaving me,” she sobbed.
He smiled sadly, and his feeble hand played with her curls.