Page:By Sanction of Law.pdf/218

 He looked up at his daughter, his face wildly distorted and agonized, the flesh sagging in wretched lines, as the import of the news came to him. His hands trembled as with palsy when they reached to grasp those of his daughter.

"You can't mean that, child. You're joking.—It's a poor joke, though, Lida—that's a ghastly joke."

"But, Daddy, it's no joke. I'm in earnest."

"I forbid it." The Colonel had mastered himself again. He had now risen from his chair, rage consuming him. "I forbid it," he shouted. "I'll disown you.—I'll kill you first.—It shan't be. My God! It shan't be."

In the face of this crisis Lida was calmness personified. She faced her father's rage and tempestuous outburst with surprising assurance. Colonel Lauriston in his tempest strode from one end of the veranda to the other. Muttering and cursing bitterly between threats.

"To think that a Lauriston should ever come to this. To bring this disgrace on my family—my name. It shall never be—how did you ever meet this man?—where did you first meet him?—though you be of my blood if you ever do such a thing I'll disinherit you—I'll cut you off—put you out. A villain to steal the heart of my innocent daughter. Oh, why did I ever send you away from me? Why didn't I keep you at my side and under my own eyes. Woe—woe is me. I'm truly cursed."

"But Daddy, it's no disgrace to love, if one loves truly."

"Shut up," he commanded in shouting tones. He had never before used such a tone to his daughter. She