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'I pray God he may forgive me,' said the father.
And he and the Editor made post-haste for the country town.
Next day the report went abroad that Mr. Richard was
reconciled to his father and had been taken home to Naseby
House. He was still ailing, it was said, and the Squire
nursed him like the proverbial woman. Rumour, in this
instance, did no more than justice to the truth; and over the
sickbed many confidences were exchanged, and clouds that had
been growing for years passed away in a few hours, and as
fond mankind loves to hope, for ever. Many long talks had
been fruitless in external action, though fruitful for the
understanding of the pair; but at last, one showery Tuesday,
the Squire might have been observed upon his way to the
cottage in the lane.
The old gentleman had arranged his features with a view to
self-command, rather than external cheerfulness; and he
entered the cottage on his visit of conciliation with the
bearing of a clergyman come to announce a death.
The Admiral and his daughter were both within, and both
looked upon their visitor with more surprise than favour.
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