order to force a ray of hope into his soul. There was but one means by
which we could save his honor and life; but--oh God!--at what a
sacrifice! I was obliged to pledge all my property as security for his
debts. Nothing could be spared; our ancestral manor-lands, your mother's
marriage-portion, your moderate dowry,--all were ventured with the
certainty that the greater part would unquestionably be lost! On these
hard conditions my brother's honor might be saved; and, if that could be
rescued, he was willing to renounce the determination to escape shame by
death. I must in justice say that it was not he who demanded the
sacrifice from me: on the contrary, he did not suppose that I could or
would make it; but I was satisfied in my mind that if I did not settle
his affairs, at all hazards, he would execute his criminal project
against his life. And yet--and yet, my child--_I hesitated!_"

"Father!" exclaimed Lenora, "_you did not refuse!_"

A happy smile beamed on his face as he met the questioning glance of his
daughter and answered, firmly,--

"I loved my brother, Lenora; but I loved _you_, my only child, much
more. The sacrifice demanded of me by his creditors insured misery for
your mother and for you!"

"Oh, God! oh, God!" sobbed Lenora.

"On one side my heart was distracted by this dreadful thought, while on
the other I was assailed by the despair that was present in the
bankrupt's chamber; but generosity conquered in the awful trial, and at
daylight I sought out the principal creditors and signed the documents
that saved a brother's life and honor but gave up my wife and child to
want."

"Thank God!" gasped Lenora, as if she had been relieved from a horrible
nightmare. "Bless you, bless you, father, for your noble, generous
conduct!"

She rose from her seat, and, passing her arms around his neck, gave him
a glowing kiss with as much solemnity as if she had been anxious to
endue this mark of love with all the fervor and sacredness of a
benediction.

"Ah! but canst thou bless me, my child," said he, with eyes foil of
gratitude, "for an act that should implore thy pardon?"

"_My_ pardon, father!" exclaimed Lenora, with surprise on all her
features. "Oh, had you done otherwise, what would I not have suffered in
doubting the goodness of my parent's heart! Now, now, I love you more
than ever! _Pardon you_, father? Is it a crime to save a brother's life
when it is in your keeping?"

"Alas, Lenora, the world d