I was less surprised at this intelligence than grieved. I thought I saw
my father's ruin was inevitable, and knew not how to prevent or
procrastinate it. After a long pause, I ventured to insinuate that, as the
thing was yet to be done, as there was still time for deliberation----

"No, no," interrupted he; "I must go on. It is too late to repent.
Unless new funds are supplied, all that we have hitherto done will go for
nothing; and Frank assures me that one more sacrifice and all will be
well."

"Alas, sir, are you still deceived by that language? Can you still
listen to assurances which experience has so often shown to be fallacious?
I know nothing of this fine project; but I can see too clearly that unless
you hold your hand you will be undone. Would to Heaven you would hesitate
a moment!" I said a great deal more to the same purpose, and was at length
interrupted by a message from my brother, who desired to see me a few
minutes in the parlour below. Though at a loss as to what could occasion
such an unusual summons, I hastened down.

I found my brother with a strange mixture of pride, perplexity, and
solicitude in his looks. His "how d'ye?" was delivered in a graver tone
than common, and he betrayed a disposition to conciliate my good-will, far
beyond what I had ever witnessed before. I waited with impatience to hear
what he had to communicate.

At last, with many pauses and much hesitation, he said, "Jane, I
suppose your legacy is untouched. Was it two or three thousand Mrs.
Matthews put you down for in her will?"

"The sum was three thousand dollars. You know that, though it was left