“Feeling that,” Elliott went on, “I have waited as long as it is in the nature of man to do. I have felt, and even now feel, that perhaps to interpose my love between you and her is to touch this hallowed association with something not so good as itself, but my life is empty without her, and I must know now if you will entrust her to my care.”
The old man’s breathing was a little quickened as he asked, mournfully: “How could I do without her? What would become of me?”
“Do without her?” Elliott repeated. “I do not mean to stand between you two—to separate you. I only seek to share with her her love for you, and to be as faithful always as she has been; to add to hers a son’s affection and care. I have no other thought in my heart but to double with Dorothy her privileges as your child, companion, friend. If I harbored any thought of separating her from you, I could not now touch this honored hand.” He laid his own upon the wrinkled one as he spoke.
Answering the touch for an instant only, but not coldly, Mr. Carr lifted his eyes with one grave look at Elliott, then gazed anxiously toward the door. These last words seemed to awaken his subdued lips.
“You speak so manfully, Mr. Harding, that I feel I must treat your confidence and sincerity in the same spirit.”
“With all my heart I thank you, Mr. Carr, for I well understand that without you I have no hope. She, I feel sure, would not give it, nor would I ask her hand without your consent.”
The old man spoke out plainly now.
“I am not much longer for this world, I think, for I am very feeble, and of all the living and dead world, this one soul—my child—is left to me. The tie between us is the only one that now remains unbroken, therefore you cannot be surprised that its breaking would crowd all my suffering into the one act. But I believe you to be a good man. I believe your object to be purely and truthfully what you have stated, and as a proof of my belief, I will give her to you—with my blessing,” and extending his hand, he allowed Elliott to grasp it warmly.
“God bless you for this, Mr. Carr,” was all that he could say.