'Father, I never asked a favour of you before. You'll not refuse me this?'
The Major looked at his daughter tenderly.
'You will never again be violent. You promise me this, father. I shall be miserable if you don't. You promise me this, father? You cannot refuse me. It is my first request and my last.'
The Major's face was full of tears. There were none on Agnes' face; but her eyes shone with anticipation and desire.
'Promise,' she said, 'promise.'
'I promise.'
'And when the temptation comes you'll remember your promise to me?'
'Yes, Agnes, I'll remember.'
The strain that the extortion of the promise had put upon her feelings had exhausted the girl; she then pressed her hands to her eyes and dropped on the ottoman. For a long while father and daughter sat opposite each other without speaking. At last the Major said:
'I must go out; I cannot stop here.'