“My father’s heart is breaking,” said William, groaning aloud, and covering his face with his hands. “Father, your face frightens me more than Jane’s;—don’t, father, don’t. She is young,—it will pass away—and father dear where is your reliance upon her—upon her aid!”
“Dear Henry,” said his wife, “you should be our support. It is the business of your life to comfort and sustain the afflicted.”
“Papa,” said Agnes, “come with me for a few minutes, until you recover the shock which—which——”
She stopped, and dropping her head upon the knees of her smiling and apparently happy sister, wept aloud.
“Agnes—Agnes,” said William, (they were all in tears except her father) “Agnes, I am ashamed of you;”—yet his own cheeks were wet, and his voice faltered. “Father, come with me for awhile. You will when alone for a few minutes, bethink you of your duty—for it is your duty to bear this not only as becomes a Christian man, but a Christian minister, who is bound to give us example as well as precept.”
“I know it, William, I know it;—and you shall witness my fortitude, my patience, my resignation under this—this——-. I will retire. But is she not—alas! I should say, was she not my youngest and my dearest! You admit yourselves she was the best.”
“Father, come,” said William.
“Dear father—dear papa, go with him,” said Agnes.
“My father,” said Maria, “as he said to her, will be himself.”
“I will go,” said the old man; “I know how to be firm; I will reflect; I will pray; I will weep. I must, I must——”