Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER XXVIH. " We thought you would have been tempted out before this," was Gertrude's first observation, as she walked by Mr Dacre's side, not knowing how to introduce the desired topic. " Ten years ago I should have been," was the answer ; " but illness makes an old man think more of the charms of repose than of a beautiful evening ; besides, you were so fully engaged, I should only have been an interruption." " Not that, indeed," exclaimed Gertrude, in. an eager, trembling voice: " I was wishing for you so much—I thought—I wanted " "Anything that I can give?" said Mr Dacre, struck by the hesitation so foreign to her usual manner. " I do not know," replied Gertrude, struggling to regain self-possession ; " and yet I do know.—If you would listen to me—I think that is what I want most." " You are looking upon me as a stranger," said Mr Dacre, in a tone of gentle reproof, " and it does me injustice. I was a father once, and I have not forgotten a father's feelings." Gertrude tried to answer, but her words came with difficulty. " I will tell you," she said at length, " but indeed I do not think of you as a stranger; if I did, I could not let you know what is in my thoughts." She stopped again; and Mr Dacre looked at her inquiringly,— " Do not keep me in suspense," he said ; " if I can be of any service, you have only to name it." " I don't know why I should trouble you," replied Gertrude ; and -then, unheeding the appearance of abruptness, she continued, rapidly, " I have a wish— a great wish : it has been in my mind for years—and I think it is right, but I am not sure. It is such an important thing ; so very serious ; it does not seem as if it could be intended for me to do it;—only I have the means. I—I wish,—I should like,"—and with evident effort the...