His was one of those quiet natures which make no show, and trouble no one, yet in which sorrow goes deep down, and grows into the heart, as it were, becoming a part of existence, until existence itself shall cease.
It did not, however, hinder him from doing all his ordinary duties, perhaps with even closer persistence, as he felt himself sinking into that indifference to outside things which is the inevitable result of a heavy loss upon any gentle nature.

The fierce rebel against it; the impetuous and impatient throw it off; but the feeble and tender souls make no sign, only quietly pass into that state which the outer world calls submission: and resignation, yet which is, in truth, mere passiveness--the stolid calm of a creature that has suffered till it can suffer no more.
The first thing which roused Mr.Cardross out of this condition, or at least the uneasy recognition that it was fast approaching, and must be struggled against, conscientiously, to the utmost of his power, was Mr.
Menteith's letter, and the request therein concerning Lord Cairnforth.
Without entering much into particulars--it was not the way of the cautious lawyer--he had stated that, after ten years' residence in Dr.Hamilton's house, and numerous consultations with every surgeon of repute in Scotland, England--nay, Europe--it had been decided, and especially at the earnest entreaty of the poor little earl himself, to leave him to Nature; to take him back to his native air, and educate him, so far as was possible, in Cairnforth Castle.
A suitable establishment had accordingly been provided--more servants, and a lady housekeeper or governante, who took all external charge of the child, while the personal care of him was left, as before, to his nurse, Mrs.Campbell, now wholly devoted to him, for at seven years old her own boy had died.

He had another attendant, to whom, with a curious persistency, he had strongly attached himself ever since his babyhood--young Malcolm Campbell, Neil Campbell's brother, who was saved by clinging to the keel of the boat when the late Lord Cairnforth was drowned.

Beyond these, whose fond fidelity knew no bounds, there was hardly need of any other person to take charge of the little earl, except a tutor, and that office Mr.Menteith entreated Mr.Cardross to accept.
It was a doubtful point with the minister.

He shrank from assuming any new duty, his daily duties being now made only too heavy by the loss of the wife who had shared and lightened them all.