CHAPTER V.Randal Writes to New York.
The members of the family at Mount Morven consulted together, before Sydney Westerfield was informed of her brother's disappearance and of her mother's death.
Speaking first, as master of the house, Herbert Linley offered his opinion without hesitation.

His impulsive kindness shrank from the prospect of reviving the melancholy recollections associated with Sydney's domestic life.

"Why distress the poor child, just as she is beginning to feel happy among us ?" he asked.

"Give me the newspaper; I shan't feel easy till I have torn it up." His wife drew the newspaper out of his reach.

"Wait a little," she said, quietly; "some of us may feel that it is no part of our duty to conceal the truth." Mrs.Presty spoke next.