Eric was no hardened sinner.

I sometimes fear--at least, the terrible thought has crossed my mind, and I know Hamilton has had it too--that in his despair he might have made away with himself.' 'Oh, Max, this is too horrible!' And I shuddered as I thought of the beautiful young face so like Gladys's, with its bright frank look that seemed to appeal to one's heart.
'Well, well, we need not speak of it; but it was a sad time for all of us; and yet in some ways it was a happy time to me.

It was such a comfort to feel that I was necessary to them all; that they looked for me daily; that they could not do without me.

I used to be with Hamilton every evening; and when Gladys was very ill they sent for me, because they said no one knew how to soothe her so well.
'Do you wonder, Ursula, that, seeing her in her weakness and sorrow, she grew daily into my life, that my one thought was how I could help and comfort her?
'She was very gentle and submissive, and followed my advice in everything.

When I told her that only work could cure her sore heart, she did not contradict me: in a little while I had to check her feverish activity.