, whom he
found calm, and almost relieved by the cessation from suspense; not
inclined, as his father had feared, to drown sorrow in labour,
but regarding his grief as an additional call to devote himself to
ministerial work. In fact, the blow had fallen when he first heard the
rumour of danger, and could not recur with the same force.

Richard was surprised to find that Margaret was less cast down than he
could have dared to hope. It did not seem like an affliction to her.
Her countenance wore the same gentle smile, and she was as ready
to participate in all that passed, finding sympathy for the little
pleasures of Aubrey and Gertrude, and delighting in Flora's baby; as
well as going over Cocksmoor politics with a clearness and accuracy that
astonished him, and asking questions about his parish and occupations,
so as fully to enjoy his short visit, which she truly called the
greatest possible treat.

If it had not been for the momentary consternation that she had seen
upon Dr. Spencer's face, Ethel would have been perfectly satisfied;
but she could not help sometimes entertaining a dim fancy that this
composure came from a sense that she was too near Alan to mourn for him.
Could it be true that her frame was more wasted, that there was less
capability of exertion, that her hours became later in the morning, and
that her nights were more wakeful? Would she fade away? Ethel longed to
know what her father thought, but she could neither bear to inspire him
with the apprehension, nor to ask Dr. Spencer's opinion, lest she should
be confirmed in her own.

The present affliction altered Dr. May more visibly than the death of
his wife, perhaps, because there was not the same need of exertion. If
he often rose high in faith and resignation, he would also sink very low
under the sense of bereavement and disappointment. Though Richard
was his stay, and Norman his pride, there was something in Harry more
congenial to his own temper, and he could not but be bowed down by the
ruin of such bright hopes. With all his real submission, he was weak,
and gave way to outbursts of grief, for which he blamed himself as
unthankful; and his whole demeanour was so saddened and depressed,
that Ethel and Dr. Spencer consulted mournfully over him, whenever they
walked to Cocksmoor together.

This was not as often as usual, though the walls of the school were
rising, for Dr. Spencer had taken a large share of his friend's work for
the present,