"oh! no! no!" did not console her for this which
seemed the most present sorrow, but the flow of tears was so gentle,
that Ethel trusted that they were a relief. Ethel herself seemed only
able to watch her, and to fear for her father, not to be able to think
for herself.

The front door opened, and they heard Dr. May's step hesitating in the
hall, as if he could not bear to come in.

"Go to him!" cried Margaret, wiping off her tears. Ethel stood a moment
in the doorway, then sprang to him, and was clasped in his arms.

"You know it?" he whispered.

"Dr. Spencer told us. Did not you meet him?"

"No. I read it at Bramshaw's office. How--" He could not say the words,
but he looked towards the room, and wrung the hand he held.

"Quiet. Like herself. Come."

He threw one arm round Ethel, and laid his hand on her head. "How much
there is to be thankful for!" he said, then advancing, he hung over
Margaret, calling her his own poor darling.

"Papa, you must forgive me. You said sending him to sea was giving him
up."

"Did I. Well, Margaret, he did his duty. That is all we have to live
for. Our yellow-haired laddie made a gallant sailor, and--"

Tears choked his utterance--Margaret gently stroked his hand.

"It falls hard on you, my poor girl," he said.

"No, papa," said Margaret, "I am content and thankful. He is spared pain
and perplexity."

"You are right, I believe," said Dr. May. "He would have been grieved
not to find you better."

"I ought to grieve for my own selfishness," said Margaret. "I cannot
help it! I cannot be sorry the link is unbroken, and that he had not to
turn to any one else."

"He never would!" cried Dr. May, almost angrily.

"I tried to think he ought," said Margaret. "His life would have been
too dreary. But it is best as it is."

"It must be," said the doctor. "Where are the rest, Ethel? Call them all
down."

Poor Mary, Ethel felt as if she had neglected her! She found her hanging
over the nursery fire, alternating with old nurse in fond reminiscences
of Harry's old days, sometimes almost laughing at his pranks, then
crying again, while Aubrey sat between them, drinking in each word.

Blanche and Gertrude came from the schoolroom, where Miss Bracy seemed
to have been occupying them, with much kindness and judgment. She came
to the door to ask Ethel anxiously for the doctor and Miss May, and
looked so affectionate and sympathising, that Ethel gave her a hearty
kiss.

"Dear Miss