Ethel retreated, much alarmed at her rash measure, and when she
related it she saw that Richard and Mr. Ernescliffe both thought it
had been a great hazard.

"Papa wants you," was a welcome sound to the ears of Richard, and
brought a pink glow into his face. He was never one who readily
showed his feelings, and there was no danger of his failing in self-
command, though grievously downcast, not only at the loss of the
tender mother, who had always stood between him and his father's
impatience, but by the dread that he was too dull and insignificant
to afford any help or comfort in his father's dire affliction.

Yet there was something in the gentle sad look that met him, and in
the low tone of the "How d'ye do, Ritchie?" that drove off a thought
of not being loved; and when Dr. May further added, "You'll see about
it all--I am glad you are come," he knew he was of use, and was
encouraged and cheered. That his father had full confidence and
reliance in him, and that his presence was a satisfaction and relief
he could no longer doubt; and this was a drop of balm beyond all his
hopes; for loving and admiring his father intensely, and with
depressed spirits and a low estimate of himself, he had begun to
fancy himself incapable of being anything but a vexation and burden.

He sat with his father nearly all the evening, and was to remain with
him at night. The rest were comforted by the assurance that Dr. May
was still calm, and did not seem to have been injured by what had
passed. Indeed, it seemed as if the violence and suddenness of the
shock, together with his state of suffering, had deadened his
sensations; for there was far less agitation about him than could
have been thought possible in a man of such strong, warm affections