They were soon in the temples of fashion on Broadway, bent upon carrying out their guileless conspiracy.  Nevertheless their seemingly innocent and harmless action was wretched folly.  They did not know that it raised one more barrier between them and all they sought and hoped, for they were spending the little money that might save them from sudden and utter poverty.

CHAPTER IV

“Pitiless waves”

A deeper shadow than that of the night fell upon Mildred Jocelyn’s home after the return of her father.  Feeling that there should be no more blind drifting toward he knew not what, he had employed all the means within his power to inform himself of the firm’s prospects, and learned that there was almost a certainty of speedy failure.  He was so depressed and gloomy when he sat down to dinner that his wife had not the heart to tell him of her schemes to secure his daughter’s happiness, or of the gossamer-like fabrics she had bought, out of which she hoped to construct a web that would more surely entangle Mr. Arnold.  Even her sanguine spirit was chilled and filled with misgivings by her husband’s manner.  Mildred, too, was speedily made to feel that only a very serious cause could banish her father’s wonted good-humor and render him so silent.  Belle and the little ones maintained the light talk which usually enlivened the meal, but a sad constraint rested on the others.  At last Mr. Jocelyn said, abruptly, “Fanny, I wish to see you alone,” and she followed him to their room with a face that grew pale with a vague dread.  What could have happened?

“Fanny,” he said sadly, “our firm is in trouble.  I have hoped and have tried to believe that we should pull through, but now that I have looked at the matter squarely I see no chance for us, and from the words and bearing of my partners I imagine they have about given up hope themselves.”

“Oh, come, Martin, look on the bright side.  You always take such gloomy views of things.  They’ll pull through, never fear; and if they don’t, you will soon obtain a better position.  A man of your ability should be at the head of a firm.  You would make money, no matter what the times were.”

“Unfortunately, Fanny, your sanguine hopes and absurd opinion of my abilities do not change in the least the hard facts in the case.  If the firm fails, I am out of employment, and hundreds of as good—­yes, better men than I, are looking vainly for almost any kind of work.  The thought that we have laid up nothing in all these years cuts me to the very quick.  One thing is now certain.  Not a dollar must be spent, hereafter, except for food, and that of the least costly kind, until I see our way more clearly.”

“Can’t we go to Saratoga?” faltered Mrs. Jocelyn.

“Certainly not.  If all were well I should have had to borrow money and anticipate my income in order to spend even a few weeks there, unless you went to a cheap boarding-house.  If things turn out as I fear, I could not borrow a dollar.  I scarcely see how we are to live anywhere, much less at a Saratoga hotel.  Fanny, can’t you understand my situation?  Suppose my income stops, how much ahead have we to live upon?” Mrs. Jocelyn sank into a chair and sobbed, “Oh that I had known this before!  See there!”