"Daisy, will you promise not to be jealous?"

An eager and joyful "Yes" rose to my lips—a most bitter thought checked it.

"I cannot," I exclaimed, desperately, "I cannot, Cornelius."

"You will not promise?" he said.

"I cannot."

He looked at me very fixedly, but uttered not a word of praise or blame.

"Daisy," called the sad voice of Kate from the house, "come and get ready, child."

I was obeying; Cornelius detained me to observe—

"Ask me for something before we part."

"I have nothing to ask for, Cornelius."