"What's brought you from Washington at a critical time like this?
The Rossmore impeachment needs every friend we have." "Just as if you didn't know," smiled the senator uneasily, "that I am here by appointment to meet you and your son!" "To meet me and my son ?" echoed Ryder astonished.
The senator, perplexed and beginning to feel real alarm, showed the financier Jefferson's letter.

Ryder read it and he looked pleased.
"That's all right," he said, "if the lad asked you to meet us here it can mean only one thing--that at last he has made up his mind to this marriage." "That's what I thought," replied the senator, breathing more freely.

"I was sorry to leave Washington at such a time, but I'm a father, and Kate is more to me than the Rossmore impeachment.
Besides, to see her married to your son Jefferson is one of the dearest wishes of my life." "You can rest easy," said Ryder; "that is practically settled.
Jefferson's sending for you proves that he is now ready to meet my wishes.

He'll be here any minute.

How is the Rossmore case progressing ?" "Not so well as it might," growled the senator.