nly reached the station in time to jump into a carriage, where he
fancied he caught a glimpse of Bertie's head in a corner. He had not
even time to get a ticket or give his servants any instructions; but
then, Mr. Murray was known to be eccentric, and he always paid most
liberally for his whims.

Bertie, who was alone in the carriage, looked first surprised, and
then very pleased. He was terribly low-spirited, his head ached, his
throat was sore, worst of all, he was cold, and would probably have
sobbed the whole way to Brighton had he been alone, and so made
himself very ill. But Mr. Murray cheered him up wonderfully, chatted
briskly all the way about everything a boy could be expected to take
an interest in, and in fact made the time pass so pleasantly that
they were at Brighton long before Bertie thought they were half-way.
When they reached the house (for Mr. Murray went too), the blinds
were all down, and that gave Bertie a sudden chill; and as he knocked
at the door he glanced with terrified, appealing eyes at Mr. Murray,
who drew a step nearer, and took Bertie by the hand. It was a firm,
reassuring clasp, and the boy glanced at him gratefully, and when the
door was opened, thus hand in-hand they went upstairs, and were met
just at the drawing-room door by Mrs. Clair. One glance at her face
was sufficient to tell them something dreadful had happened. Bertie
was in her arms in a moment, while Eddie and Agnes--white, wild-eyed,
terror-stricken--clung on either side. It was a heartrending picture
of sorrow and despair, and Mr. Murray could not witness it unmoved.
He just shook hands with Mrs. Clair, whispered a few words that he
would telegraph at once to Mr. Gregory, and would call again in a few
hours, to ask if he could be of any service.

"Remember, my dear Mrs. Clair, you are not alone here. I will see to
everything for you: Rely on me, command me, and remember I was your
brother's dearest friend. I will call as soon as I get Gregory's
answer. By the way, that boy Bertie is very ill; he has a violent
cold, he has eaten nothing to-day, he is very unhappy; if you can,
forget' your own sorrow for an hour in comforting him;" and then Mr.
Murray hurried away, having left a ray of sunshine in a very shady
place, and cheered and comforted Mrs. Clair, who was alone, helpless,
bewildered, in her terrible and sudden affliction. Surely Heaven had
sent her a friend in her direst distress, and she was truly grateful.

(_T