Cornelius looked disconcerted, and observed gravely, "My dear, you are getting too old for all this; you must be near thirteen." "My birthday is in two months' time; yours in five." "True. Well, as I was observing, there are things natural in the child which might seem foolish in the young girl." I rose submissively. "I shall not do it again, Cornelius," I said, as I stood before him; "are there other things I do, and which you think foolish?" "I did not say so." "Because if there are," I continued, earnestly, "and I should do them in company, for instance, you will only have to say, 'Daisy!' in that way, I shall be sure to understand." "Nonsense!" he interrupted, reddening. "Indeed, Cornelius, it is no nonsense: I could understand even a look; I am so accustomed to your face. Have I not been with you nearly three years?" "That will never do, never!" exclaimed Cornelius, seeming more and more uncomfortable, and stroking his chin with half puzzled, half sorrowful air; "but there is no help for it," he added more firmly; "come here, child." He drew me on his knee as he spoke. "But you said it was foolish!" I said, surprised. "As a habit; not for once." I yielded; he passed both his arms around me, looked down into my face and said abruptly-- "You know, Daisy, I am fond of you. I think I have shown it; I hope you believe it." I said I did; but I could scarcely speak, my heart beat so. Why did he tell me of his affection? "You have not been happy of late," he continued; "at times I have noticed, with pain, an expression of perfect misery on your face: I do not mean that it was justified, but it was there, and, even whilst I blamed you, it grieved me to think you should be unhappy in our home." "Do not mind it, I don't," I exclaimed eagerly; "I do not mind being unhappy now and then--I would much rather be miserable here with you and Kate, than ever so happy elsewhere." "Perhaps you would," he replied, "for if you have great faults, no one can say that want of affection is amongst them. You can love, too much perhaps; but that is not the question; on your own confession you are not happy, and to that there is but one remedy. I see in your face that you have guessed it--separation." Yes, I had guessed it, but not the less acutely did I feel the blow; I did not answer; he continued--