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.