Faith had to smile, although she was a trifle indignant.  She could not imagine what had brought the young man to her apartments.

“Did you wish to see me about anything?” she asked bluntly as her thoughts flew instinctively to the poisoned candy.  “If you do, please come in, and I will be glad to listen.”

“I do, indeed,” responded the young man.  “I should not have dreamed of intruding upon you without a very good reason.”

Faith was almost sure it was the candy now, although she had been assured by his father that he had been told nothing about it.

As she introduced him to her mother, she was anxious and excited, and one conjecture as to his errand followed swiftly after another.  When they were seated Mr. Denton started at once on his errand, and as he talked he gazed at Faith earnestly, as though trying to read her emotion.

“My errand is a purely personal one,” he began, “and you ladies may think it a selfish one also, but the fact is I have come for a little assistance.  I want you, Miss Marvin, to help me reason with my father.”

Faith made an exclamation of unfeigned surprise.

“I don’t understand,” she said slowly.  “What is wrong with your father, Mr. Denton?”

“That’s what I’d like to know,” was the emphatic answer, “but between you and I, it’s my opinion that he’s crazy!”

Mrs. Marvin and Faith both stared at him curiously, for this time there was more sadness than disrespect in his language.

“Listen to this,” he went on quickly, “and see if I am not right!  I will put the situation before you without a particle of exaggeration.”

“Wait!” said Mrs. Marvin.  “What does all this concern us, sir?  Are you not doing wrong to talk to strangers about your father’s business?”

A smile passed over the young man’s features, and he turned toward Faith with a glance of admiration.

“I think not,” he said shortly, “and for this simple reason—­he admires your daughter above any girl that he has met; she has influenced him in the past and can influence him again in the future.  And he is sadly in need of influence, I can assure you,” he continued, “for, at the present moment, he is on the verge of two things, they are the verge of bankruptcy and the verge of insanity!”

Mrs. Marvin looked shocked, but Faith’s brow became clearer.  It was coming to her now what was troubling young Denton.

The young man went on with hardly a perceptible pause, his face growing more handsome and manly as he became interested and excited.