"How I wish father could have heard you a moment ago!" cried the girl, wistfully. "He would then understand what genuine loyalty is. He thinks every man he knows, and every woman, too, I guess, save me, is a time server. Every man has his price, according to his idea. I don't believe he thinks that he has a genuine friend in all the world--not one. Isn't it hopeless to suspect everyone like that?" "How can he help it?" returned Beekman, pointedly. "Just what I told you about the rich American girl--how is she going to know, understand the motives of men ...?" Leslie's face went suddenly white; then she suggested almost too hastily, so she reflected later: "If you want to see my father, remember he's in the Den." And an instant later Beekman found himself standing in the presence of Peter V. Wilkinson. In his exuberance of joy Wilkinson almost flung himself at Beekman. He grasped the other's hand with both of his, then clapped him heavily on the shoulder. "Governor, my boy, you made a grand fight--a great fight! You're the right man in the right place! Proud of you, I am." "Now about the Appellate Division ..." began Beekman, but Wilkinson would have none of it. "Not on your life!" said he. "Never mind me! No troubles to-night--only wine and wassail. All Governor and nothing else. The returns are all in, aren't they? No contests--nothing doubtful--sure thing--you're Governor and no mistake?" "No mistake, Mr. Wilkinson," smiled Beekman. "It's all right." For an instant Beekman hesitated and glanced about the room as though for inspiration, then his eyes settled down once more on Peter V. "Mr. Wilkinson," he stammered, "I'm a bit old-fashioned, I suppose, all wrong, from the modern point of view, but I've got something on my mind--something----" "Out with it," laughed the older man. The Governor-elect gulped. "It's--your--your daughter Leslie," he went on, still floundering. "I want to marry her--thought I'd ask you first." "Ask me first?" exploded Peter V. Wilkinson. "Haven't you asked her yet?" "Her money--I've always been afraid of people with a lot of money, and----" "You needn't be afraid of me," gurgled Wilkinson; "I haven't any left." "But the principle is the same," insisted Beekman. "I wanted to be sure, that's all." "Suppose I refuse?" "Oh, in that case, I should ask her anyway--and get her too, I think. I'm merely trying to do my duty by you, don't you see." Wilkinson raised his hand and brought it down heavily upon the Governor's shoulder once more. "Governor," he said, "you've always done right by me, and I believe you always will--I've that much faith in you. As for the rest, I don't know of any man that I'd rather trust my daughter Leslie to, than you." Beekman's blood rushed tumultuously through his veins. "I don't deserve----" he began quite formally, but Wilkinson cut him off.