rew Mr. Ridley back to the sofa, from which he had started up
a little while before, and said, in a voice full of comfort and
persuasion:

"You shall go there, and I will come and see you every day; and you
needn't have a thought or care for Ethel. All is going to come out
right again."

The carriage came in a few minutes. There was no hesitation on the part
of Mr. Ridley. The excitement of this new hope breaking in so suddenly
upon the midnight of his despair acted as a temporary stimulant and
held his nerves steady for a little while longer.

"You are not going?" said Mr. Elliott, seeing that Mrs. Birtwell was
making ready to accompany them in the carriage.

"Yes," she replied. "I want to see just what this home is and how Mr.
Ridley is going to be received and cared for."

She then directed their man-servant to get into the carriage with them,
and they drove away. Mr. Ridley did not stir nor speak, but sat with
his head bent down until they arrived at their destination. He left the
carriage and went in passively. As they entered a large and pleasant
reception-room a gentleman stepped forward, and taking Mr. Elliott by
the hand, called him by name in a tone of pleased surprise.

"Oh, Mr. G----!" exclaimed the clergyman. "I am right glad to find you
here. I remember seeing your name in the list of directors."

"Yes, I am one of the men engaged in this work," replied Mr. G----.
Then, as he looked more closely at Mr. Ridley, he recognized him and
saw at a glance his true condition.

"My dear sir," said he, stepping forward and grasping his hand, "I am
glad you have come here."

Mr. Ridley looked at, or rather beyond, him in a startled way, and then
drew back a few steps. Mr. G---- saw him shiver and an expression of
fear cross his face. Turning to a man who sat writing at a desk, he
called him by name, and with a single glance directed his attention to
Mr. Ridley. The man was by his side in a moment, and as Mr. Elliott did
not fail to notice all on the alert. He spoke to Mr. Ridley in a kind
but firm voice, and drew him a little way toward an adjoining room, the
door of which stood partly open.

"Do the best you can for this poor man," said Mrs. Birtwell, now
addressing Mr. G----. "I will pay all that is required. You know him, I
see."

"Yes, I know him well. A sad case indeed. You may be sure that what can
be done will be done."

At this moment Mr. Ridley gave a cry and a spring toward the door.
Glancing