“You have already reached the goal. You are everything that is good and refined, proud and lovely. I say it, and one day a younger, better, and stronger man will say the same—and you will be happy to listen. Are you not a little pleased to hear me say that you are the best and sweetest and most wonderful little girl in the world?—look at me, Jenny. Can I not give you a little pleasure by saying that I believe you will have all possible happiness because you deserve it?”
She looked down into his face, trying to smile; then, bending her head, she passed her hands over his hair:
“Oh, Gert, I could not help it—could I? I did not want to do you any harm.”
“Do not grieve about it, little one! I love you because you are what you want to be—what I once hoped to be. You must not be sad for my sake, even if you think you have caused me pain; there are sorrows that are good, full of blessing, I assure you.”
She went on crying softly.
Presently he whispered:
“May I come and see you now and again? Will you not send for me when you are sad? I should so like to try and be of some help to my dear little girl.”
“I dare not, Gert.”
“Dear child, I am an old man; remember, I might be your father.”
“For—for your sake, I mean. It is not right.”