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2 her affection; so that she was continually looking on a blank.

Her father, seeing her health thus decline, began to cast often for the cause; and at length, going into her bedchamber one morning, as she lay awake, he took her hand between his, and said, "My dear daughter, I have long forborne, from great delicacy, to question you of the cause of this your sickness of mind; but so does it affect me, that I find I cannot go about my daily occupations, and leave you so sorely afflicted, without offering what consolation I can to you. My child, thy peace is as precious to me as my life; nevertheless, I know you to be mistress of so delicate a sense, that if you feel disinclined to impart to me your thoughts, do not do it; and I will take more patience to myself, till time, that healeth all wounds, shall have fulfilled the will of Heaven on thy desires." Julia was silent, and hung down her head; but presently, bursting into tears, she hid her face in his bosom, saying "Father, my heart is almost broken." He began to sooth and comfort her; when she looked up, and told him of her affection. And he said, "Heaven is above these things. I will not be thy father so much in authority as in friendliness. To-morrow we will talk of this matter." But she answered eagerly, "Now—I prythee now. I can