"Well," he said, "I'm going to tell you everything as far as I
understand it. Now I want to see if you two can't listen calmly
and quietly and not give way to useless feeling. There's much to
be done, and you especially, Helen, must be in the right condition
to do it."
"Oh, papa, why torture me so? Something HAS happened to Hobart. I
can't endure this suspense."
"Something has happened to us all," replied her father, gravely.
"Hobart has acted like a hero, like a saint; so must you. He is as
well and able to go about as you are. I've seen him and talked
with him."
"He saw you and not me?" cried the girl, starting up.
"Helen, I entreat, I command you to be composed and listen
patiently. Don't you know him well enough to be sure he had good
reasons--"
"I can't imagine a reason," was the passionate reply, as she paced
the floor. "What reason could keep me from him? Merciful Heaven!
father, have you forgotten that I was to marry him to-day? Well,"
she added hoarsely, standing before him with hands clinched in her
effort at self-restraint, "the reason?"
"Poor fellow! poor fellow! he has not forgotten it," groaned Mr.
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