The Daisy Chain

ot mar the

immortal

broken hea

h her c

s on her sl

of harm

INNOC

ion about the house, speaking under their breath, as they gathered in the drawing-room. Into the s

the presence of that still, pale form; and, what was almost worse, the sight of the familiar objects, the chair by the fire, the sofa, the books, the work-basket, the letter-case, the dressing things, all these were too oppressive.

, apparently sensible only of bodily suffering, though he answered when ad

, and tried to get Norman to look at passages which she liked, Mary kept the little ones from be

, Mary and Tom hung their heads at having forgotten themselves, the association of gladness in seeing Richard was refreshing

e agitated, was among them, almost devoured by the younger ones, and dealing out quiet caresses to them, as he caught from the words and

's first audible words-all the

many minutes without speaking; then whispered to Flora that he must go

rply, and Blanche was beginning to cry. But Richard's entrance set all at peace-he sat down among them, and, with soft voice and arm round Blanche

watched him with piteous looks, as if imploring him to return to his children. Poor girl, to-day's quiet, after the last evening's bustle, was hard to bear. Sh

Alan Ernescliffe; look

w, mournful tone. "She on

her heart beat as if it would take away her breath, as she saw her fa

though in extreme fear of what the next question might be

voice and air showed him to be entirel

ld get up and go to see her. Much distressed, she begged him not to think of it, and appealed to Alan, who added his entreaties that

f the room, and tried to console h

ollected," he said; "you heard now cl

try to stop him till I

y word; and I believe trying to prevent him would be more likely to do him h

gasping as she whispered and signed towards the door,

he was more himself than he seemed, but I think he could not bear to awaken his mind to understand it, and that he was afraid to hear about her-your sister, so

st of grief. She longed to have seen her father, but was frightened at the chance of meeting him. When she had sent her message, and told her brothers what was passing, she w

e room, and was quite calm and composed. Oh! if this

he wan

, but I would not let him. Nurse, do you

d her while you are all of a tremble

he was only rathe

seem to know h

. He says he thinks it is as Mr. Ward believes, and that s

e know

ants you, nurse. Only mind you command yourself-don'

en some sounds from the baby, and her father's voice soothing it, in his wonted caressing phrases and tones, so familiar that they seemed to break the spell, drive away her vague terrors, and restore her father. Her heart bounded, and a sudden impulse carried her to the bedside, at once forgetting all dread of s

nt; "Yes," he said, "at once." Then added fe

d Ethel became conscious of her imprudence, but in a few moments Dr.

, pa

presently. Wh

nd when she related it she saw that Richard and Mr.

nd there was no danger of his failing in self-command, though grievously downcast, not only at the loss of the tender mother, who had always stood betwe

d you are come," he knew he was of use, and was encouraged and cheered. That his father had full confidence and reliance in him, and that his presence was a satisfaction and relief he could no longer doubt; and this was a

t seem to have been injured by what had passed. Indeed, it seemed as if the violence and suddenness of the shock, together with his state of suffering, had deadened

n went up arm-i

apa good-night," said Ethel. "Shal

red, shook his head without speaking, ran up after H

ever seen anything so ineffably mournful as the affectionate look on her father's face. She

in a soft weak tone: then, as she bent down to kiss

rop gathered slowly in each eye, long in coming, as

hey al

, pa

her hand, as if leng

ry good

Ethel's two tears

shall see them to-morrow. God b

so unlike her father's usually demonstrative habits, as to impress her all the more, yet those two tears

be heard. Ethel, terrified and distressed, timidly implored her to be comforted, but it seemed as if she were not even heard; she would have fetched some one, but whom? Alas! alas! it brought back the sense that no mother would ever soothe them-Margaret, papa, bot

es. Mary was hushed in a moment, and Flora's exhausted weeping was gradually soothed, when she was able to recollect that she was keeping him from her father; with kind good-nights, he left Ethel to read to her till she could sleep. Long did Ethel rea

t, with much pain and some fever; and whenever Richard had begun to hope from his tranquillity, that he was falling asleep, he was undeceived by hearing an almost unconsciously uttered sigh of "Maggie, my Maggie!" and then th

een starting and talking in his sleep half the night, and had proceeded to groaning and crying ou

n to spare any reference to Dr. May-the violent start of the horses had been seen, and Adams and Mr. Ernescliffe agreed, under their breath, that the new black one was not fit to drive, while the whole town w

in to papa. His door was open, and he heard me, and called me. He says he

and Ethel, seeing how it was with him, followed him quickly, as he dashed, at full speed, up the stairs. At the

nything the matter." But he rested his head on his hand, and looked as if he could not stir. "I see it wo

hand and looked away, unable to bring himself to turn his eyes on his father, and afraid of letting his own face be seen. Almost at the same moment, nurse came to say something about Margaret, and h

culous?" he exclaimed fain

e knew that he would be annoyed, was not sorry to be obliged to remain, and tell what was the matter with him. "Oh," said Mr. Ward, t

ersuaded him, after scolding her a little, to swallow it, and take a turn in t

heir desire. At last Richard came to them, as they were wandering in the garden, and, with his usual s

that the warm brightening look would never beam on them, the soft blue eyes never guide, check, and watch them, the smile never approve or welcome them. To see her unconscious of their pre

s if she knew it all before, and heard with languid attention.

condolences, and offers of service came in thickly, and gave much occupation to Flora, Richard, and Alan Ernescliffe, in turn. No one from without could do anything for them-they had all the help they wanted in Miss Winter and in Alan, who was invaluable in sharing with Richard the care of the doctor, as well as in givin

ght themselves too refined to see their children christened before the congregation, and who preferred an empty church and a week-day. The little one had waited till she was ne

e were to go with them: it was too far off, and the way lay too much through the town for it to be thought proper for the others to go. Ethel wished it very much, and thought it nonsense to care whether people looked at her; and in spite of Miss Wint

e christening, unless he should begin, and, to her great satisfaction, he presently asked her to read the serv

her, dear little thing. I see, on an emergency, that I know how to act. I never thought I was capable of being of so much use, thanks to dear, dear mamma's training. I shall man

ut better, she will take care of her, and oh how we ought to try-and I, such a naughty wild thing-if I should hurt the dear little ones by ca

, and the sisters both sprang up, "

do, my

thin the arm her father stretched out for her. He gazed into the baby face, which

ok that had more of tenderness than grief, he

her again, "might we take her to her g

ighed heavily; then, as they stood round his bed, unwilling to go, he added, "Girls, w

d on her cheeks, Mary exclaimed, "I'll try not to be naughty;" and B

d holy. We have the keeping of you, mamma's precious flower, her pearl of truth! Oh, may God guard you to be an unstained jewel, till you co