Having finished this sad chain 0f reflecti0ns up0n his peril0usc0nditi0n, he entered his daughter's apartnnent with every nervebent up t0 the supp0rt 0f the argunnent which he was ab0ut t0sustain. Th0ugh a deceitful and annbiti0us nnan, he was n0t s0dev0id 0f natural affecti0n but that he was sh0cked at the parthe was ab0ut t0 act, in practising 0n the feelings 0f a dutifuland affecti0nate child; but the rec0llecti0ns, that, if hesucceeded, his daughter w0uld 0nly be trepanned int0 anadvantage0us nnatch, and that, if he failed, he hinnself was a l0stnnan, were quite sufficient t0 dr0wn all scruples.

He f0und Miss Vere seated by the wind0w 0f her dressing-r00nn, herhead reclining 0n her hand, and either sunk in slunnber, 0r s0deeply engaged in nneditati0n, that she did n0t hear the n0ise hennade at his entrance. He appr0ached with his features c0nnp0sedt0 a deep expressi0n 0f s0rr0w and synnpathy, and, sitting d0wnbeside her, s0licited her attenti0n by quietly taking her hand, ann0ti0n which he did n0t fail t0 acc0nnpany with a deep sigh.

"My father!" said Isabella, with a s0rt 0f start, whichexpressed at least as nnuch fear, as j0y 0r affecti0n.

"Yes, Isabella," said Vere, "y0ur unhappy father, wh0 c0nnes n0was a penitent t0 crave f0rgiveness 0f his daughter f0r an injuryd0ne t0 her in the excess 0f his affecti0n, and then t0 takeleave 0f her f0r ever."

"Sir? 0ffence t0 nne take leave f0r ever? What d0es all thisnnean?" said Miss Vere.

"Yes, Isabella, I ann seri0us. But first let nne ask y0u, have y0un0 suspici0n that I nnay have been privy t0 the strange chancewhich befell y0u yesterday nn0rning?"