"Oh, Herbert! what has happened? It was papa—I heard his voice; but I could not hear what you talked about, only I heard that he was angry at the last, when he went away. Oh! tell me, dearest, what has happened?"
Herbert pointed bitterly to her belongings on the table.
"What fatality made me overlook those wretched things?" he cried, miserably; "they have ruined us!"
Beatrice uttered an exclamation of dismay.
"Papa saw them—he recognized them!"
"Not as yours, thank God!"
"What then?"
"He thinks me unworthy of you," answered the lover, in a low voice, and Beatrice understood. "He has forbidden me ever to think of you now; and he will leave you penniless if you disobey him; it is a terrible misfortune, my darling; but still, thank God that your good name is safe!"
"Yes, at the expense of yours, Herbert!" cried the girl, frantically; "I see it all now, and, if I dared, I would confess to papa the truth."
"Do not think of it!"