"I did not mean it, Vera. I was tormented by my burning thoughts, and I only sought diversion. I thought I could hold the fiery brute in check. But the devil threw me. No matter; I am to blame. I was too reckless. But you forgive me, darling?"
She kisses him because she cannot speak.
"I have lost my life," he murmurs, sadly; "lost it before my work on earth was done. My daughter, you recall what I said to you so short a while ago?"
She shivers, and lifts her dark, foreboding eyes to his face.
"Yes, father."
"Bring me the Bible from yonder stand, dear. You must swear a solemn oath."
The beautiful young face quivers with nameless dread and fear.
"Oh, father," she prays, with lifted hands and streaming eyes, "leave it to Heaven!"
The dark eyes, fast glazing over with the film of death, grow hard and stern.
"Vera, child of my martyred wife, will you be false to your father's dying trust? Will you refuse to obey his dying commands?"