Gazing intently upon his daughter, he replied: "Yes, there is one way out of this dilemma, and only one. But do not ask me now, for I cannot expect aid in that direction--no, it would be asking too much of my loved one." "Tell us to what you refer; if in our power to assist, the danger might be averted." Like a drowning man catching at straws, he seemed to be filled with hope of rescue; hesitating a moment, he said: "You, my daughter, can save me." The bewildered girl started with surprise. "I can save you? How?" "By becoming the wife of Walter Mannis." The unexpected words went with crushing effect to the daughter's heart, causing her to sink into a chair. Choking spasmodically for a moment, she regained her feet, and replied: "Marry him? No, I would die, beg, or even starve, before becoming his wife. Oh, you know not what you ask." The look of partial joy that had gathered upon the Senator's face was followed by one of deep despair. He became very pale, and clasping both hands across his head, sighed heavily. "No, that was too much to expect. I cannot blame you, Belle; but all is lost. We will say no more about it now. Let the crisis come; and we must take the consequences, be they what they may," and imprinting a kiss upon the foreheads of both wife and daughter, he left the room. Belle, greatly agitated, when alone with her mother indulged in a paroxysm of tears. Sadly grieved at her father's distress, his wish that she should marry Walter Mannis almost overpowered her, for, believing Mannis indirectly to blame for the death of her husband, the mention of his name by her father seemed almost a crime. "To think that papa desires me to marry him!" she said. "Were I to comply, his victim would rise from the grave to haunt me. I wish I could prevent the calamity. Poor papa! He is greatly overcome, and I fear his failure will kill him. But marriage--and with Mannis--oh!" In the mean time Senator Hamblin, entering his own apartment, threw himself into a chair, and muttered, "Lost--all is lost! Ruin irretrievable confronts me. The last hope is gone. I cannot blame Belle. The poor girl has greater cause than she knows for refusing to marry Mannis, but the act would have saved me. I cannot remain to face the disgrace of failure. It is only a step across the chasm, and I will take it." Taking his pen he wrote hastily the following letter: