"’Really, Mr. Sydney,’ he replied, trying to force a smile, ’I am afraid being in love does not agree with you; your nerves seem thoroughly upset this morning. But I suppose we old people must put up with this kind of thing, we were all young and foolish once. Many years ago I believe that even I was jealous. There is, after all, no particular reason why you should not see my daughter if you wish; but it is the tone you have adopted which I object to. Money, my dear sir, money is a thing that, where my child’s happiness is at stake, would never cross my mind; it must rest with her to decide, when she is a little older and knows her own mind, what husband she will take. So long as he is a good man and of gentle birth, I shall not interfere!’ "’Have I your permission, then,’ I asked, ’to go and see her?’ "I saw he was about to consent when the thought crossed his mind that very likely she was at the moment with Vancome, and he replied, getting up, ’I will send her to you.’ "Soon after his departure Vera came into the room looking very pale and nervous, and I saw that she was wondering what could have brought me up. As I looked at her, my love, pity, and anger grew uncontrollable, and entirely upset my mental balance. "My animal nature got the upper hand, and I became, for the time being, cruel. My very passion, as is often the case under such conditions, was an incentive rather than a check, to that which, in the language of hypocrisy, is termed ’religious anger,’ but which is often little better than the counter thrust of a wounded heart. I will, I thought, use my power against this girl, and make her see herself even as she is. "’Vera,’ I began, ’I have got your father’s permission to see you again before the week is over. I find it impossible to keep away from you, dearest, any longer. I want to hear from your lips once more that you love me, and that you will be my wife.’ "’Why, of course I love you, dear,’ she said, a look of relief coming into her face as she came forward, evidently expecting that I should take her in my arms and kiss her. "I took both her hands in mine, and looked into the sweet face before me. Was it possible that I might have been mistaken? That I was a victim of delusion? As I stooped and kissed her forehead, I said-- "’Have you missed me much, dear? And did you find the hours hang heavily?’ "’Oh, yes,’ she replied, ’it has seemed such a long, long time. But after all, you see, we have met once already. Have you quite got over your fainting fit? Do you know that you don’t look at all well. When I came in I was quite afraid something had happened, you seemed so queer.’