"Heaven forbid; but can I help feeling that the charm of our friendship is gone? He liked me one way, I liked him another; after that, what can there be between us? Could I again be free with him? I could not; and to be cold and constrained when I was once so trusting and so frank, would be worse than utter separation. I would rather never see him more, than feel my friendship for him breaking miserably away, Cornelius." I spoke as I felt, with a warmth and earnestness that again made my eyes overflow. Cornelius heard me with an attentive look, then placing his hand on my arm, said, quietly-- "Oh, Daisy, what a lesson!" "A lesson, Cornelius?" "Yes, a lesson, which I, for one, shall not forget. If ever I find myself circumstanced as was your friend, Daisy, I shall have the wisdom not to cast away friendship before I am sure of love." "Cornelius," I said, earnestly, "do you blame me?" "No, no," he quickly replied. "Because if you thought I should--" "No," he interrupted; "not at all. Oh, Daisy! do you not see I am too selfish to wish to make a present of you to the first boy or man who chooses to take a fancy to you?" "And I hope I know better than to leave you and Kate," I replied, confidently. "Oh, Cornelius!" I added, with sudden emotion, "how can daughters leave their father's house for that of a stranger?" He was bending over me with the look and attitude which, even more than act or speech, imply the fond and caressing mood; but, on hearing this, he reddened, drew back, and said, in a short, vexed tone:-- "Don't be filial, Daisy." "Don't be alarmed," I replied, smiling, "I have not forgotten that you called me your friend the other day, and I am going to avail myself of the privilege." "Are you?" he answered, pacified at once. "Yes, I am going to be very bold." He smiled. "To ask a great favour." He looked delighted and inquisitive. "You know," I continued, in my most persuasive accents, and passing my arm within his, "you know it is settled that I am always to remain with you and Kate; but--" "But," he echoed. "But is it settled that you are to remain with us?" "Why not?" he replied, looking astonished. "You spoke of Spain the other evening. What should you want to go to Spain for? I think it would be a great loss of time; besides--" "Besides, Daisy?" he repeated, smoothing my hair. "Besides, I want you to remain with us." "For how long, Daisy?" "For ever." I said it, smiling, for I dreamt not he would consent. "For ever," he repeated, with quiet assent. I looked at him with breathless joy. He smiled. "Ask me for something else," he said. "I dare not," I replied, drawing in a long breath, "lest you should take back the first gift to punish my presumption." "Your presumption! Oh, Daisy!"