This was the aspect of affairs when the Board adjourned to meet again on the next evening.
The result of this conference tended in no degree to calm the fears of Mr.Markland.How gladly would he now give up all interest in the splendid enterprise which had so captivated his imagination, if he could do so at the expense of one-half of his fortune! "If I could save only a small part of the wreck!" he said to himself, as he paced the floor of his room at the hotel.

It was far past the hour of midnight, but no sleep weighed upon his eyelids.
"Even sufficient," he added, in a sad voice, "to keep in possession our beautiful home.

As for myself, I can go back into busy life again.

I am yet in the prime of manhood, and can tread safely and successfully the old and yet unforgotten ways to prosperity.

Toil will be nothing to me, so the home-nest remain undisturbed, and my beloved ones suffer not through my blindness and folly." A new thought came into his mind.