"My daughter," he commenced, as he led her to a chair and seated himself by her side, "we are going to leave Duke's Lane. I believe the time has come when you should see more of the world; should mix in society, and take the place which your talents, beauty, and moral attainments give you by right. You are nearly twenty-one years old, highly educated, and exquisitely beautiful. You will make friends wherever you go, and you will have suitors by the score. With wealth, position, wit, and beauty, what more can you desire? Do not interrupt me, darling," as his daughter was about to speak; "I know what you would say: that your heart is given to Junius Cobb, and that you want no other suitors. I have had fears, Marie, that Junius would never come back to us in this world--that, perhaps, he is dead." A cry of anguish burst from the poor girl's lips: "Oh! do not, do not say that! He is not dead! You know it, father! Oh! tell me he is not dead!" and she sank at her father's feet, overcome with grief. "O, God!" breathed the old man between his set teeth; "I fear it must be done!" Then, leaning over and stroking the golden locks of his daughter, he said: "Marie, look up." Her eyes, glistening with tiny tear-crystals, were turned up to his. "Look into my eyes, my child, and listen well to my words. Do you love Junius Cobb as fondly now as when you were a girl, on the night when he said good-bye and left you? Answer me as your heart dictates." "O, father! can you doubt it?" A heavenly look appeared in her eyes. "Would to God I could be with him in this life, or in death!" Her head fell upon her father's bosom. "Then, life without your lover is worse than death?" and her father fixed his eyes in a hoping, expecting, desiring expression upon his daughter. "Yes!" burst from her lips; "a thousand times yes! for what is life without him? If I be not with him in death, then death is oblivion!" "My noble, true-hearted daughter!" and he folded her to his heart. "Your lover is true to you--that I can swear. Await with patience, my child, till God wills your union. Now, once more listen to my words: it is my desire that you enter the world of life and fashion, rule my house as its mistress; entertain, make friends, and let no worry enter thy heart. Do this, and if at the end of four years more, you ask for Junius Cobb, your betrothed, he shall come to you. I swear to you, my daughter, that my words are true." "Father, I will do thy bidding." She wept tears of hope as she sank into her chair. Soon the world of fashion, the society of money and brains, began to chipper-chapper of the new Croesus and his divine daughter, who had suddenly come into their midst.