"Stay!" she called. Then, while the servant paused, she let her
thoughts go from herself to, Ethel and her father.
"Tell the young lady to wait for a little while," she said. "I will
ring for you in a few minutes." The servant went out, and Mrs.
Birtwell turned to her secretary and wrote a few lines, saying that
she was not feeling well and could not see Miss Ridley then, but
would be glad to have her call in two or three days. Placing this
with a bank-bill in an envelope, she rang for the servant, who took
the letter down stairs and gave it to Ethel.
But Mrs. Birtwell did not feel as though she had done her whole duty
in the case. A pressure was left upon her feelings. What of the
father? How was it faring with him? She hesitated about recalling
the servant until it was too late. Ethel took the letter, and
without opening it went away.
A new disquiet came from this cause, and Mrs. Birtwell could not
shake it off. Happily for her relief, Mr. Elliott, whose interest in
the fallen man was deep enough to take him to the Home that morning,
called upon her with the most gratifying intelligence. He had seen
Mr. Ridley and held a long interview with him, the result of which
was a strong belief that the new influences under which he had been
brought would be effectual in saving him.
"I have faith in these influences," said the clergyman, "because I
understand their ground and force.
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