She sprang to her feet, looking only at her father.
“Little one,” he faltered, “I have been very cruel in my ignorance.”
“Do not think of this, Father,” she whispered.
“I must,” he said, taking her hand in his. “Kemp, your hand, please.”
He grasped the strong white hand and drew the two together; and as Kemp’s large hand closed firmly over her little one, Levice stooped his head, kissed them thus clasped, and laid his hand upon them.
“There is one thing more,” he said. “At the utmost I have but a few days to live. I shall not see your happiness: I shall not see you, my Ruth, as I have often pictured you. Ah, well, darling, a father may be permitted sweet dreams of his only child. You have always been a good girl, and now I am going to ask you to do one thing more--you also, Doctor. Will you be married now, this day, here, so that I may yet bless your new life? Will you let me see this? And listen,--will you let the world know that you were married with my sanction, and did not have to wait till the old man was dead? Will you do this for me, my dear ones?”
“Will you, Ruth?” asked Kemp, softly, his fingers pressing hers gently.
Ruth stifled a sob as she met her father’s eager eyes.
“I will,” she answered so low that only the intense silence in the room made it audible.
Levice separated their hands and held one on each of his cheeks.
“Always doing things for her ugly old father,” he murmured; “this time giving up a pretty wedding-day that all girls so love.”
“You will have no guests, unless, Doctor, there is some one you would like to have.”
“I think not,” he decided, noting with a pang the pale, weary face of Levice; “we will have it all as quiet as possible. You must rest now, and leave everything to me. Would you prefer Dr. Stephens or a justice?”
“Either. Dr. Stephens is a good man, whom I know, however; and one good man with the legal right is as good as another to marry you.”
There was little more said then. Kemp turned to Mrs. Levice and raised her hand to his lips. Arnold confronted him with a pale, smiling face; the two men wrung each other’s hands, passing out together immediately after.
Herbert Kemp and Dr. Stephens stood quietly talking to Mr. Levice. The latter seemed weaker since his exertion of the morning, and his head lay back among the pillows as if the support were grateful. Still his eager eyes were keenly fastened upon the close-lipped mouth and broad, speaking brow of the minister who spoke so quietly and pleasantly. Kemp, looking pale and handsome, answered fitfully when appealed to, and kept an expectant eye upon the door. When Ruth entered, he went forward to meet her, drawing her arm through his. They had had no word together, no meeting of any kind but right here in the morning; and now, as she walked toward the bed, the gentle smile that came as far as her eyes was all for her father. Thought could hold no rival for him that day.