Brenda looked anxiously at her father and placed her hand in his. Grasping it hard, he related the sad family history he had told the Dutchman, suppressing nothing, extenuating nothing. Brenda listened in profound silence. At times her eyes flashed, at times she wept, but never a word did she say. When her father had finished her sorrow burst forth. "My dear father, how good you are! To think I have been such a bad daughter, and you with all this worry on you! Oh, forgive me, forgive me!" and she threw herself sobbing into his arms. "My dear, there is nothing to forgive. I have told you why I bore this trouble in silence--why I told Van Zwieten." "Thank God you don't want me to marry him," sobbed Brenda. "Harold and I are going to be married quietly at Brighton." "Better wait a while yet," said Scarse, nervously; "it will drive Van Zwieten into a corner if you marry now, and you don't know what he may do then." "He can't do anything, father. If he does attempt it I have only to tell Lady Jenny; she can manage him. Harold has gone to see her about it." Somewhat astonished at this, Scarse was about to ask what way Lady Jenny could control Van Zwieten when the door opened and Captain Burton walked in, looking considerably more cheerful than when Brenda had seen him last. He pulled up short at the amazing sight of the girl in her father's arms. "Harold!" she exclaimed. "Oh, how glad I am you have come! I have so much to tell you; and father--father----" "Father has just discovered that he has a dear daughter," said Scarse, holding out his hand to the astounded young man. "Yes, Harold, and I consent to your marriage gladly." "But what about Van Zwieten?" gasped Captain Burton, utterly at a loss to understand this sudden change of front. "He shall never marry Brenda. I'll tell you all about it." "Wait one minute, father," cried the girl. "Harold, did you see Lady Jenny?" "Yes, Brenda, I have seen her. It is all right; she can manage Van Zwieten. No, I won't tell you now. She particularly wishes to do that herself." CHAPTER XIV. WHAT VAN ZWIETEN KNEW.