“A few comforting words!” repeated Mr. Heatherford, in unsteady tones. “My child, do you so underestimate what you have done? You have shown to-day that spirit of utter self-abnegation which alone animates all heroes, and you can never realize how much it means to me, for you have inspired me with new life and fresh courage. God bless you, my precious daughter!”
He kissed her tenderly, almost reverently, on the lips, and truly felt that God had indeed been good to him—even though he had been stripped of every dollar in the world—in leaving him this brave, pure, and loving girl to live for.
Both were too deeply moved for speech for a few moments; but Mollie finally disengaged herself from her father’s embrace, and, forcing him back into his chair, drew another for herself to his side.
“Now, papa, let us get down to the practical again,” she observed, with a smile, “for I want you to explain this business a little more fully to me. Will there be any debts?”
Mr. Heatherford’s eyes actually gleamed with amusement at the question, for he could scarcely believe that Mollie realized the import of the word.
“No, dear,” he returned; “I think not. Of course, I shall give up everything, and my real estate, though heavily mortgaged, together with what personal property I hold, will, I am sure, be sufficient to meet all my obligations.”
“That is lovely!” said Mollie, with animation, “for a lot of debts would have made our burdens so much heavier for the future; besides, no opprobrium will rest upon our name if you do not have to fail. You needn’t laugh, papa”—as she caught his smile—“for I really am not such an ignoramus as you might think. But I suppose it will be best for us to get away from this expensive hotel as soon as possible.”
“Yes, and we must go back to New York immediately, for it will be necessary to notify my creditors and make arrangements to settle with them.”
“All right, dearie; I can be ready to leave this very evening, if you wish,” said Mollie briskly, and her father wondered more and more as the reserve force of this tenderly nurtured girl was made manifest to him.
“I think we will wait until to-morrow night, and go by boat, for I have to see Mr. Temple again before I leave,” Mr. Heatherford replied, and his face hardened suddenly as he spoke the man’s name.