FOUNDER OF HIS RACE 105 



Daddy is no nianager ; he has ever been what they call a 

 'gentleman' and our family mansion — 'where the Great 

 Lloyd sets his Hall' — is to be sold to pay a most unjust 

 'debt of honor' — I call it a debt of dishonor, for 'twas 

 made at the gaming table ; and though Judge Wing be 

 ever so clever, he can do nothing now for my father and 

 me!" 



She leaned against Morgan ; he heard a sob in her 

 throat as she clasped his arched neck. 



He whinneyed his tenderest sympathy, and maybe she 

 would have told him more, but there came a sound of 

 voices through the open door. 



"Ah, here you are, my daughter !" It was the Colonel 

 speaking. ''Come and greet our friend who has ridden 

 all the way from Boston to see us. He says he has a 

 plan whereby we may save our home !" Colonel Lloyd 

 spoke hopefully, if a little doubtfully. 



Mistress Lloyd turned her face, flushed with emotion, 

 and saw the Coxcomb, of whom Morgan had just caught 

 scent. 



"A plan?" she questioned him, after a cold greeting. 

 "You mean a price ! 'Tis the same old one," she said 

 wearily, "I do not need to be told!" 



"My price," he answered, shrugging his shoulders, "is 

 offered out of friendship for your father and — " 



"You need not say !" she interrupted him, contemptu- 

 ously. " 'Tis not for friendship you do kindnesses !" 



"You know my price," he said, with calm insolence. 

 "I have waited long," he added, under his breath. 



"I will never pay it !" she replied with steady scorn, 

 but so firmly Master Knickerbocker could not but be- 

 lieve her. 



The truth was, he wanted her to be his wife, and she, 

 knowing what manner of man he was, had withstood his 

 importunities for years. She would none of him. 



