Grief has this that is noble in it--it accepts all sympathy, come whence it may.

She encouraged the lad by a few kind words, and took his hand at parting.
Before noon Frank returned with a second message.

His father desired to know whether Mr.Pendril was not expected at Combe-Raven on that day.
If the lawyer's arrival was looked for, Frank was directed to be in attendance at the station, and to take him to the cottage, where a bed would be placed at his disposal.

This message took Miss Garth by surprise.

It showed that Mr.Clare had been made acquainted with his dead friend's purpose of sending for Mr.Pendril.Was the old man's thoughtful offer of hospitality another indirect expression of the natural human distress which he perversely concealed?
or was he aware of some secret necessity for Mr.Pendril's presence, of which the bereaved family had been kept in total ignorance?
Miss Garth was too heart-sick and hopeless to dwell on either question.