"I am afraid of the haunted rooms, grandpa," said the child, with a shiver.
"Not in the daylight I hope," he said.
"No, not in the daytime," she replied.
"Old Dinah could sleep in your room at night, Golden. So, you see, there could be nothing to fear. My little darling, I have loved you and cared for you all your life, and I have never asked you for a sacrifice before. Will you make this concession for my sake?"
The beautiful girl clasped her white arms round his neck, and kissed his withered cheek.
"I cannot refuse if it is for your sake, grandpa," she said. "You have been father, mother, friends and home to me all my life! I have had no one but you, grandpa, and I love you too dearly to grieve you. I will do as you wish me."
He kissed her and thanked her many times.
"You must believe that it hurts me as much as it does you, my pet," he said, "but it will not be for long—and John is so violent, I had to promise for the sake of peace. I hope you will never regret this sweet yielding to my will."
"I am sure I shall not," said the child-like girl, but she gave an unconscious shudder.
His hands rested, as if in blessing, on her hair. He whispered, inaudibly: