Suffering at last softened the stern nature of Mr. Lyle, and opened
his eyes to the value of his child. He knew her devotion, her patient,
untiring attendance on him, and he felt what a blessed boon she had
been to him, and how illy he had merited so much loving kindness!
On one occasion he said:
"My daughter, I do not deserve such a blessing as you are to me. I
have been very harsh and relentless, and caused you much sorrow; would
that I could call back the past, and act differently. Heaven only
knows how grieved I am for my mistaken views and actions."
Going up, and putting her arms around him, she replied:
"Do not worry about the past, father dear, nor about your daughter.
Believe me, I am happy with you; and have no regrets. I would not be
absent from you during your suffering, even to be with him."
"Where is Ernest? Do you love him still?" he asked.
"I only know (through the papers) that he has been elected to
Congress. About my still loving him, depends entirely on whether I
have the right to do so; he may have given that to another," she
replied, and called to her beautiful lips a sweet smile, to try to
convince him, more than her words would, that she was content,
whate'er her lot should be.
Pages:
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199