“What, Margo! not asleep yet, my girl? This is a late hour for young eyes to be open. And yet I am glad that you came to bid me good-night before retiring. It was affectionate of you, Margo,” he said, laying down his pen, putting a blotter over his writing, and then drawing her to his side in a close embrace--“yes, it was affectionate of you, Margo; but ah, little one, no daughter loves as a true wife does. I have been thinking of your mother, dear.” “Think of her still, my father,” replied the maiden, in a voice of thrilling solemnity. Major Helmstedt’s countenance changed, but, controlling himself, he pressed a kiss upon his daughter’s brow, and said: “Well, well, I will not keep you up. God bless you, my child, though I cannot. Good-night!” and with another kiss he would have dismissed her. But, softly laying her hand upon his right hand, she asked, in a voice thrilling with earnestness: “Oh, my father, what is this that you are about to do?” “Margaret, no prying into my private affairs--I will not suffer it!” exclaimed Major Helmstedt, in disturbed voice. “My father, there is no need of prying; I know all! Providence, for His good purposes, has given the knowledge into my hands. Oh, did you think that He would permit this terrible thing to go on uninterruptedly to its bloody termination?” “What mean you, girl?” “Father, forgive me; but I overheard and understood your orders to Forrest.” “By my soul, Margaret, this is perfectly insufferable!” exclaimed Major Helmstedt, starting up, and then sinking back into his chair. But softly and suddenly Margaret dropped at his feet, clasped his knees, and in a voice freighted with her heart’s insupportable anguish, cried: “Father! my father! hear me! hear me! hear your own lost Marguerite’s heartbroken child, and do not make her orphaned and widowed in one hour!” “Orphaned and widowed in one hour!” “Yes, yes, and most cruelly so, by the mutual act of her father and her husband.” “By her father and husband?” “Yes, yes. Am I not Ralph Houston’s promised, sworn wife? Oh, my father!” “Death, girl! You call yourself his promised wife; you pray me to stay my hand, nor avenge your wrongs, nor vindicate my own honor; you who have been calumniated, insulted, and expelled from his house?” “Not by him, father! not with his knowledge or consent! Oh, never! never! My life, my soul, upon his stainless faith!” “My daughter, rise and leave, I command you,” said Major Helmstedt, giving his hand to assist her. But she clung to his knees and groveled at his feet, crying: