“Do not think of us, dear father!” Constance said, after the pause of a few oppressive moments.  “Let the change be what it may, it cannot take from us our father’s love, and our father’s honourable principles.  Nor can it change the true affection of his children.  I feel as if I could say, With my father I could go unto prison or to death.”

The father was much moved.  “That trial, my dear children, I trust you may never be called upon to meet.  The whole extent of the painful one into which you are about to enter, you cannot now possibly realize, and I earnestly hope that your hearts may not fail you while passing through the deep waters.  But one thought may strengthen; think that by your patience and cheerfulness, your father’s burdens will be lightened.  He cannot see you pained without suffering a double pang himself.”

“Trust us, father,” was the calm, earnest, affectionate reply of Constance; and it was plain, by the deep resolution expressed in the faces of her sisters, that she spoke for them as well as herself.

And now, the shadow that was obscuring their earthly prospects, began to fall thicker upon them.  At the meeting of his creditors which was called, he gave a full statement of his affairs.

“And now,” he said, “I am here to assign everything.  In consequence of heavy, and you all must see, unavoidable, losses, this assignment will include all my property, and still leave a small deficiency.  Beyond that, I can only hope for success in my future exertions, and pledge that success in anticipation.  Can I do more?”

“We could not ask for more certainly,” was the cold response of a single individual, made in a tone of voice implying no sympathy with the debtor’s misfortunes, but rather indicating disappointment that the whole amount of his claim could not be made out of the assets.

Some degree of sympathy, some kind consideration for his painful condition Mr. Morton naturally looked for, but nearly every kind emotion for him was stifled by the sordid disappointment which each one of his former business friends felt in losing what they valued, as their feelings indicated, above everything else—­their money.

“When will the assignment be made?” was the next remark.

“Appoint your trustees, and I am ready at any moment.”

Trustees were accordingly appointed, and these had a private conference with, and received their instructions from the creditors.  In a week they commenced their work of appraisement.  After a thorough and careful examination into accounts, deeds, mortgages, and documents of various kinds, and becoming satisfied that every thing was as Mr. Morton had stated it, it was found that the property represented by these would cover ninety cents in the dollar.

“Your furniture and plate comes next,” said one of the trustees.

Mr. Morton bowed and said, while his heart sunk in his bosom—­

“To-morrow I will be ready for that.”