Then he looked her in the face, and said in a slow, hoarse, measured way--"I do mean it, Margaret. You must not deceive yourself in doubting the reality of my words--my fixed intention and resolve." He looked at her in the same steady, stony manner, for some moments after he had done speaking. She, too, gazed back with pleading eyes before she would believe it was irrevocable. Then she arose and went, without another word or look, towards the door. As her fingers were on the handle he called her back. He was standing by the fireplace, shrunk and stooping; but as she came near he drew himself up to his full height, and, placing his hands on her head, he said, solemnly:
"The blessing of God be upon thee, my child!"

Then he said in a slow, hoarse, measured way:
'I do mean it, Margaret. Do not doubt the reality of my words and my resolve.' He looked at her in a steady, stony manner.
She gazed back with pleading eyes before she would believe that it was irrevocable. Then she arose and went, without another word, towards the door.
As her fingers were on the handle he called her back. He was standing by the fireplace, shrunk and stooping; but as she came near he drew himself up to his full height, and, placing his hands on her head, he said solemnly:
'The blessing of God be upon thee, my child!'
