d I never know whether I act for the best. And
there are so many of us, so many duties, I cannot half attend to any.
Lately, I have been giving up almost everything to keep this room quiet
for Norman in the morning, because he was so much harassed and hurt by
bustle and confusion, and I found to-day that things have gone wrong in
consequence."

"You must do the best you can, and try to trust that while you work in
the right spirit, your failures will be compensated," said Mr. Wilmot.
"It is a hard trial."

"I like your understanding it," said Margaret, smiling sadly. "I don't
know whether it is silly, but I don't like to be pitied for the wrong
thing. My being so helpless is what every one laments over; but, after
all, that is made up to me by the petting and kindness I get from all
of them; but it is the being mistress of the house, and having to settle
for every one, without knowing whether I do right or wrong, that is my
trouble."

"I am not sure, however, that it is right to call it a trouble, though
it is a trial."

"I see what you mean," said Margaret. "I ought to be thankful. I know
it is an honour, and I am quite sure I should be grieved if they did
not all come to me and consult me as they do. I had better not have
complained, and yet I am glad I did, for I like you to understand my
difficulties."

"And, indeed, I wish to enter into them, and do or say anything in my
power to help you. But I don't know anything that can be of so much
comfort as the knowledge that He who laid the burden on you, will help
you to bear it."

"Yes," said Margaret, pausing; and then, with a sweet look, though a
heavy sigh, she said, "It is very odd how things turn out! I always
had a childish fancy that I would be useful and important, but I little
thought how it would be! However, as long as Richard is in the house,
I always feel secure about the others, and I shall soon be downstairs
myself. Don't you think dear papa in better spirits?"

"I thought so to-day,"--and here the doctor returned, talking of
Abbotstoke Grange, where he had certainly been much pleased. "It was
a lucky chance," he said, "that they brought Norman in. It was exactly
what I wanted to rouse and interest him, and he took it all in so well,
that I am sure they were pleased with him. I thought he looked a very
lanky specimen of too much leg and arm when I called him in, but he has
such good manners, and is so ready and understanding, that they
could not