'
'Have you ever laid all this personally before Mr. Dusautoy?'
'No; I have thought of it, but, mixed up as this is with his nephew
and my sister, it is impossible! But you are a clergyman, Mr.
Ferrars!' he added, eagerly.
Mr. Ferrars thought, and then said,
'If you wish it, Gilbert, I will gladly do what I can for you. I
believe that I may rightly do so.'
His face gleamed for a moment with the light of grateful gladness, as
if at the first ray of comfort, and then he said, 'I am sure none was
ever more grieved and wearied with the burden of sin--if that be
all.'
'I think,' said Mr. Ferrars, 'that it might be better to give time to
collect yourself, examine the past, separate the sorrow for the sin
from the disgrace of the consequences, and then look earnestly at the
sole ground of hope. How would it be to come for a couple of nights
to Fairmead, at the end of next week?'
Gilbert gratefully caught at the invitation; and Mr. Ferrars gave him
some advice as to his reading and self-discipline, speaking to him as
gently and tenderly as Albinia herself. Both lingered in case the
other should have more to say, but at last Gilbert stood up, saying,
'I would thankfully go to Calcutta now, but the situation is filled
up, and my father said John Kendal had been enough trifled with. If
I saw any fresh opening, where I should be safe from hurting
Maurice!'
'There is no reason you and your brother should not be a blessing to
each other.
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