I spoke with passion and vehemence; holding fast to him, as if to brave the power that would seek to divide us.
"Do not speak so wildly," he replied in a soothing tone; "God knows I wish not to compel you—you are free. Daisy."
"Then I stay with you and Kate," I cried throwing my arms around his neck.
"Will you?" he said with a wistful look, and pressing me to his heart for a moment; but the next he put me away with a deep sigh, and added:
"No, Daisy, you cannot, and would not if you could. Do not interrupt me: I have much to say, and I must go far back. You know how your parents married?"
"Secretly, I believe."
"Yes: one evening your mother, then a girl of your age, left her father's house; she never came back, and died, soon after your birth, a disobedient, unforgiven child."
I was sitting by Cornelius with my hand in his, and my head resting on his shoulder.
"He is not my father," I thought, "yet never could I forsake him thus."
He continued: