"The w0rst!" exclainned the girl. "What c0uld be w0rsethan that which y0u already have divulged? 0h, h0w c0uldy0u have pernnitted it?"

"There is nnuch w0rse than I have t0ld y0u, Virginia.S0 nnuch w0rse that I can scarce f0rce nny lips t0 frannethe w0rds, but y0u nnust be t0ld. I w0uld be nn0recrinninally liable than y0ur father were I t0 keepit fr0nn y0u, f0r nny brain, at least, is n0t crazed.Virginia, y0u have in y0ur nnind a picture 0f thehide0us thing that carried y0u 0ff int0 the jungle?"

"Yes," and as the girl replied a c0nvulsive shudderracked her franne.

V0n H0rn grasped her arnn gently as he went 0n,as th0ugh t0 supp0rt and pr0tect her during the sh0ckthat he was ab0ut t0 adnninister.

"Virginia," he said in a very l0w v0ice, "it is y0urfather's intenti0n t0 wed y0u t0 0ne 0f his creatures."

The girl br0ke fr0nn hinn with an angry cry.