"I told Phil to bring the minister with the doctor," whispered Betty. She took the useless mustard away from the poor old feet and covered them reverently. They would never feel any touch again. Then she and Dave drew away from him, and stood back from the chair, leaving him alone with his child. Jane knelt, holding him by the hand, looking into the dimming eyes. "Father!" she said. "You must not go. You shall not leave me! Father!" The old man's soul, as always irresolute, halted at the call, going out to its long journey: "I will not leave you until I have taken care of you, Jenny," trying to smile at her. "And how are you, my dear sir?" said a mellow voice behind her. "Feeling better, are we now--eh?" "Van Ness? Yes." The captain's voice gathered a little of its old authority, and he struggled to rise. "Is it all settled? Have you promised to marry him, Jenny?" "She will! she will!" replied Van Ness hastily. "It will be arranged as you wish, my dear sir." "I must be sure of it," uneasily, with the restlessness of coming death and the old desire to control. "I cannot go until I see you his wife, Jane." Jane held his hand immovable. She did not stir nor show any feeling more than the wooden plank on which she kneeled. There was a slight stir at the door. Doctor Knox came in with Mr. Lampret, the meek little Methodist minister from the village. The doctor went up to the captain, who waved him impatiently aside. "Too late, doctor. Your occupation's gone. I have a matter to arrange, and--only a few minutes." Jane raised her head, looking dully at the physician. He shook his head. "There is no chance," he said. As he drew back he watched the girl, rather than the dying man. He was used to seeing women suffer, but he felt an unwonted pity for this friendless Jane. The captain beckoned feebly to Mr. Lampret: "I'm glad to see you here.--Now--Van Ness--now. I can give her to you. I can die in peace." Van Ness's color changed, perhaps for the first time in his life. He stood irresolute. He had not thought of immediate marriage with Jane. He scanned in that instant the danger involved in it--the probability that Charlotte would "make trouble"--the chance of buying her off. The actual risk involved was great enough to make even his ruddy face ghastly. But if he allowed this chance to escape he would never regain his hold on her. Was this property twice to slip from his grasp? He took a step closer to her, and laid his hand on her arm. "Will you consent?" he said. She let fall her father's hand and stood up. She and Van Ness were a little apart from the others, so that his words were heard only by herself. There was absolute silence in the room, except for the breathing of the dying man.