"You are not going?" said Mr. Elliott, seeing that Mrs. Birtwell was
making ready to accompany them in the carriage.
"Yes," she replied. "I want to see just what this home is and how
Mr. Ridley is going to be received and cared for."
She then directed their man-servant to get into the carriage with
them, and they drove away. Mr. Ridley did not stir nor speak, but
sat with his head bent down until they arrived at their destination.
He left the carriage and went in passively. As they entered a large
and pleasant reception-room a gentleman stepped forward, and taking
Mr. Elliott by the hand, called him by name in a tone of pleased
surprise.
"Oh, Mr. G----!" exclaimed the clergyman. "I am right glad to find
you here. I remember seeing your name in the list of directors."
"Yes, I am one of the men engaged in this work," replied Mr. G----.
Then, as he looked more closely at Mr. Ridley, he recognized him and
saw at a glance his true condition.
"My dear sir," said he, stepping forward and grasping his hand, "I
am glad you have come here."
Mr. Ridley looked at, or rather beyond, him in a startled way, and
then drew back a few steps. Mr. G----saw him shiver and an
expression of fear cross his face. Turning to a man who sat writing
at a desk, he called him by name, and with a single glance directed
his attention to Mr. Ridley. The man was by his side in a moment,
and as Mr. Elliott did not fail to notice all on the alert.
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