"Then you must take the consequences," he said. "The farm and all I have is left to Robin,--he's my dead sister's son and my nearest living kin--" "I know that," she said, simply, "and I'm glad he has everything. It's right that it should be so. I shall not be in his way. You may be quite sure of that. But I shall not marry him." "You'll not marry him?" he repeated, and seemed about to give vent to a torrent of invective when she extended her hands clasped together appealingly. "Dad, don't be angry!--it only hurts you and it does no good! Just before supper you reminded me of what they say in Church that 'the sins of the fathers should be visited on the children, even unto the third and fourth generation.' I will not visit the sin of my father and mother on anyone. If you will give me a little time I shall be able to understand everything more clearly, and perhaps bear it better. I want to be quite by myself. I must try to see myself as I am,--unbaptised, nameless, forsaken! And if there is anything to be done with this wretched little self of mine, it is I that must do it. With God's help!" She sighed, and her lips moved softly again in the last words, "With God's help!" He said nothing, and she waited a moment as if expecting him to speak. Then she moved to the table where she had been sitting and folded up her needlework. "Shall I get you some wine, Dad?" she asked presently in a quiet voice. "No!" he replied, curtly--"Priscilla can get it." "Then good-night!" Still standing erect he turned his head and looked at her. "Are you going?" he said. "Without your usual kiss?--your usual tenderness? Why should you change to me? Your own father--if he was your father--deserted you,--and I have been, a father to you in his place, wronging my own honourable name for your sake; am I to blame for this? Be reasonable! The laws of man are one thing and the laws of God are another,--and we have to make the best we can of ourselves between the two. There's many a piece of wicked injustice in the world, but nothing more wicked than to set shame or blame on a child that's born without permit of law or blessing of priest. For it's not the child's fault,--it's brought into the world without its own consent,--and yet the world fastens a slur upon it! That's downright brutal and senseless!--for if there is any blame attached to the matter it should be fastened on the parents, and not on the child. And that's what I thought when you were left on my hands--I took the blame of you on myself, and I was careful that you should be treated with every kindness and respect--mind you that! Respect! There's not a man on the place that doesn't doff his cap to you; and you've been as my own daughter always. You can't deny it! And more than that"--here his strong voice faltered--"I've loved you!--yes-I've loved you, little Innocent--"