“We have disobeyed no laws,” retorted Clearwater. “We have simply disregarded alleged laws enacted by demagogues to compel us to pay blackmail or go out of business.” “Your own lawyers drew the laws,” replied Helm, “and Sayler ordered them passed six years ago. But they were intended for use against any rival to your monopoly that might spring up.” “You’ll let us alone, or you’ll never hold another office in this state,” cried Clearwater. “I came here to ask my daughter to use her influence with you to save yourself from destruction. I had forgotten what an obstinate visionary you were. But I think even you will hesitate before breaking her heart, bowing her head with shame.” “I’ve told father,” said Eleanor, “that I haven’t any influence with you. I’d not venture to speak to you about a political matter--unless I understood it. And I’ve been so busy with the baby these last two years that I don’t really know anything any more.” “Eleanor, I’ve explained it all to you,” said Clearwater, deeply agitated. “If he goes on, it means disgrace to me. I can punish him--and I shall. But I’ll have to leave public life.” Eleanor looked inquiringly at her husband. He said: “Yes, dear.” “George, you can’t do that!” cried she. Helm winced. He said gravely: “Your father--through his corporation--put it squarely up to me either to prosecute him or to re-license his corporation for robbing the people of this state.” “That’s a lie!” cried Clearwater. “It’s as honest a business as there is!” “Yes,” said Helm, “it’s as honest a _big_ business as there is--and as dishonest.” “You can’t disgrace _my_ father, George,” said Eleanor. “You can’t send my cousins to the penitentiary. Why, they’re like my brothers.” Helm looked gravely at her. He said slowly: “You are their cousin. You are Senator Clearwater’s daughter. But you are my wife--you are our son’s mother.” She was deathly pale, and her eyes looked her terror, as she said breathlessly: “_My_ father! Oh, George, you _can’t_!” “Yes,” said Helm gently. “I can--and I must--and, Ellen, I will.” “_You_ asking me to choose between you and my father!” exclaimed she. “No, Ellen,” replied he. “I am your husband. There can’t be any choice between me and any one else on earth.” They gazed at each other, he as white as she. But she was trembling, while he stood like a strong tree. She said: “Yes--I am yours, George. But--you will give me a wound I’ll never recover from.” He said: “It will give _us_ a wound that’ll never heal. But--we’ll suffer together, my love, as we have been happy together.” Clearwater watched them with awe. It was the first time in all his life that he had ever seen love--the reality of love. And the sight was so overpowering that it overwhelmed his emotions of terror and rage and hate. When he finally spoke it was with a kind of hysteria: “My God, Eleanor! If your dead mother could have known that her daughter----” Helm put his arm round his wife and interrupted sternly: