for resignation and calm. He started, almost as if a blow had
been struck him, as Mark uttered his name in the porch, no doubt having
never meant to be perceived nor to have to speak to any one; but in one
moment his features had recovered their usual expression of courteous
readiness. He bowed his head when Mark told him that Ursula wanted to
shake hands with him, and came towards the Rectory, but he entirely
declined the invitation to sleep there, declaring that he must return
to London that night.

Mark opened the study door, and then went away to secure that the man
whom he had learnt to esteem very highly should at least have some
refreshment before he left the house.

Those few steps had given Mr. Dutton time to turn from a mourner to a
consoler, and when Nuttie came towards him with her hand outstretched,
and 'Oh, Mr. Dutton, Mr. Dutton!' he took it in both his, and with a
calm broken voice said, 'God has been very good to us in letting us
know one like her.'

'But oh! what can we do without her?'

'Ah, Nuttie! that always comes before us. But I saw your work and your
comfort just now.'

'Poor little boy! I shall get to care about him, I know, but as yet I
can only feel how much rather I would have _her_.'

'No doubt, but it is _her_ work that is left you.'

'Her work? Yes! But oh, Mr. Dutton, you don't know how dreadful it
is!'

He did not know what she meant. Whether it was simply the burthen on
any suddenly motherless girl, or any special evil on her father's part,
but he was soon enlightened, for there was something in this old friend
that drew out her confidence beyond all others, even when he repressed
her, and she could not help telling him in a few murmured furtive words
such as she knew she ought not to utter, and he felt it almost treason
to hear. 'Opiates! she was always trying to keep my father from them!
It was too much for her! My uncle says I must try to do it, and I
can't.'

'Poor child!' said Mr. Dutton kindly, though cut to the heart at the
revelation of sweet Alice's trial; 'at least you can strive, and there
is always a blessing on resolution.'

'Oh, if you knew! and he doesn't like me. I don't think I've ever been
nice to him, and that vexed her! I haven't got her ways.'

'No,' said Mr. Dutton, 'but you will learn others. Look here, Nuttie.
You used to be always craving for grand and noble tasks, the more
difficult the better. I think you have got one now, more sev