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"
A change passed over the old farmer's face. He grew deathly pale, and
put out one hand feebly as though to seek some support. Errington caught
it in his own and pressed it hard.
"Surely you are not surprised, Sir?" he added with eagerness. "How can I
help loving her! She is the best and loveliest girl I have ever seen!
Believe me,--I would make her happy!"
"And have you thought, young man," returned Gueldmar slowly, "that you
would make me desolate?--or, thinking it, have you cared?"
There was an infinite pathos in his voice, and Errington was touched and
silent. He found no answer to this reproach. Gueldmar sat down, leaning
his head on his hand.
"Let me think a little," he said. "My mind is confused a bit. I was not
prepared for--"
He paused and seemed lost in sorrowful meditation. By-and-by he looked
up, and meeting Errington's anxious gaze, he broke into a short laugh.
"Don't mind me, my lad!" he said sturdily. "'Tis a blow, you see! I had
not thought so far as this.


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