The old man had been giving orders without, and she heard his voice in the passage. She had not long to wait before he came in.
He looked at her with lifted eyebrows, and took off his hat, and asked what she wanted there.
"One word with you, dear father," said she, gently.
"Very well; make haste—I am busy. There is much to see to to-day. Where is Fox?"
He threw himself into his armchair, and crossed his feet.
"Father," said Bessie, "I have done what you desired, and with this day a new life begins with me. I have come to ask your pardon for any grief, annoyance, or trouble I may have at any time caused you. I also ask you to forgive me for having opposed your wishes at first when you wanted me to marry Fox. I did not then understand your reasons. But it has been a hard thing for me to submit. I dare say, dear father, you can have no idea how hard it has been for me. Now I have sworn to love Fox, and I will try my best to do so."
"Oh, love! love!" said the old man; "that is a mere word. You will get accustomed to each other, as I am to this chair."
"That may be. And yet—there is love—love that is more than a word. I suppose you loved my mother."
The old man made a deprecatory motion with his hand.
"Oh! father, without love in the house, how sad life is! I ought to know that, for I have had but little love shown me by you. Do not think I reproach you," she said, hastily, a little colour mounting into her pale face; "but I have felt the want of what, perhaps, I was not worthy to receive."