and burst
into a torrent of tears. She had kept up appearances as long as it
was possible, but now the reaction had set in. She gave way freely
to her pent up feelings, she felt that unless she could relieve
herself in this way her heart would break. She had been brave
until now, she had been strong to hear everything and see
everything, but she could not keep it up forever. Stott's words to
her on the dock had in part prepared her for the worst, he had
told her what to expect at home, but the realization was so much
more vivid. While hundreds of miles of ocean still lay between, it
had all seemed less real, almost attractive as a romance in modern
life, but now she was face to face with the grim reality--this
shabby cottage, cheap neighbourhood and commonplace surroundings,
her mother's air of resignation to the inevitable, her father's
pale, drawn face telling so eloquently of the keen mental anguish
through which he had passed. She compared this pitiful spectacle
with what they had been when she left for Europe, the fine mansion
on Madison Avenue with its rich furnishings and well-trained
servants, and her father's proud aristocratic face illumined with
the consciousness of his high rank in the community, and the
attention he attracted every time he appeared on the street or in
public places as one of the most brilliant and most respected
judges on the bench. Then to have come to this all in the brief
space of a few months! It was incredible, terrible, heart rending!
And what of the future? What was to be done to save her father
from this impeachment which she knew well would hurry him to his
grave? He could not survive that humiliation, that degradation. He
must be saved in the Senate, but how--how?

She dried her eyes and began to think. Surely her woman's wit
would find some way. She thought of Jefferson. Would he come to
Massapequa? It was hardly probable. He would certainly learn of
the change in their circumstances and his sense of delicacy would
naturally keep him away for some time even if other considerations,
less unselfish, did not. Perhaps he would be attracted to some
other girl he would like as well and who was not burdened with a
tragedy in her family. Her tears began to flow afresh until she
hated herself for being so weak while there was work to be done to
save her father. She loved Jefferson. Yes, she had never felt so
sure of it as now. She felt that if she had him there at that
moment she woul