Page:Bianca, or, The Young Spanish Maiden (Toru Dutt).djvu/26

292 have all left me, but they went to God, their heavenly Shepherd called them and they obeyed His voice, but you leave me for a man; they loved their Heavenly Father, more than their earthly one, and you love another man better than me!" And a deep sigh escaped him. The tears started to her eyes,—"No, not better, father,"—she said slowly;—"but oh God! I shall be now so miserable without him." "So should I be if you left me to marry this Lord Moore." She buried her face in her hands for a few minutes then raising her face (it was very pale) towards Mr. Garcia. "Father," she said trying to speak calmly, "I will not marry him; I wish your peace and happiness above all things." She stopped; "But just now you said you would be miserable without him You are very changeable." "I shall not be very miserable as long as I have you father." And kissing his hand meekly yet quickly, she went to the door and went out. Somebody was entering the passage at that moment; somebody very tall, who came up to her hastily and took both her hands in his and stooped down to read her face; she started back with a cry of pain; "Oh don't do it again, don’t!' she said piteously; "I have sinned and father is so angry." "Is it even thus!" He exclaimed; he opened the door of the study and entered; she went slowly upstairs into her own room,—there to be alone with her despair and with her God.

Garcia looked up at the entrace of Lord Moore; he had been sitting quite thoughtful after his daughter had gone out. "Would the girl be really unhappy if he did not permit her to marry Lord Moore? She had been a very good child to him; never gave him a moment's trouble or anxiety all these eighteen years. She used to make light of marriage and love before; why the other day even, she was laughing about Ingram’s offer to her. I thought I understood her thoroughly, but I find I am wrong; women are hard enigmas; if it had been a boy, I would have known how to manage and behave; but with a girl—Poor child!" He looked up, Lord Moore was standing before him, pale, his ordinarily firm lips trembling a little. They both of them were silent for a while; Lord Moore was trying to be calm; Garcia