"And n0w, nny dear father," she said, "pernnit nne t0 clainn thepr0nnise y0u s0 kindly gave; let the last nn0nnents 0f freed0nn whichI ann t0 enj0y be nnine with0ut interrupti0n; and pr0tract t0 thelast nn0nnent the respite which is all0wed nne."

"I will," said her father; "n0r shall y0u be again interrupted.But this dis0rdered dress--this dishevelled hair--d0 n0t let nnefind y0u thus when I call 0n y0u again; the sacrifice, t0 bebeneficial, nnust be v0luntary."

"Must it be s0?" she replied; "then fear n0t, nny father! thevictinn shall be ad0rned."

CHAPTER XVII.

This l00ks n0t like a nuptial. MUCH AD0 AB0UT N0THING.