“Let us not think of ourselves, sister, but of our father. Let us seek to lighten this heavy burden, if it should, indeed, be laid upon his shoulder.” “How are we to do that, Eunice?” “In many ways. If father’s circumstances should really be so greatly reduced, as I have been led to fear, we will have to change our style of living, for the present style cannot be maintained, except at a heavy expense. This change he will be compelled to make in the end, but may delay it long beyond a prudent time in dread of shocking us with a knowledge of what has occurred. Let us, then, the moment we are sure that things are as I have been led to fear, ourselves with cheerfulness propose and insist upon the change, and it will take from his mind more than half the pain the reverse has occasioned. Let us, in this and in every other way, help him to bear up; and, above all things, let us be cheerful, so that home may be the sweetest place to him in all the earth. Evie, we may have a sacred duty to perform toward our parents; let us perform it with brave hearts and cheerful countenances.” “I stand rebuked, dear sister!” said Eveline, tenderly kissing Eunice. “You are younger, but oh! how much better and wiser. You shall guide me. Only show the way, and I will walk bravely by your side. Yes, it may all be as you say, and the world may know it, while we yet remain in ignorance. And this may be the reason why lover and friend have grown cold!” Eveline’s voice trembled on the last sentence. “Neither lover nor friend deserve the name, if such a change can chill their hearts’ warm impulses,” returned Eunice, with some emphasis in her voice. The idea suggested by Eunice, took strong hold of the mind of Eveline, and helped to sustain her under the deep trial the defection of her lover compelled her to bear. Both observed their father more closely than either had done before, and the observation confirmed, rather than weakened, the conclusions to which Eunice had come. It was plain that something more than the death of their brother preyed upon his mind. The silent, gloomy, troubled state into which he had fallen, was as unaccountable to Mrs. Townsend as to Eveline and Eunice, and even more so; for the idea that had occurred to the mind of the latter, had never crossed hers, as was plain from her replies to their questions on the subject. Anxiously did the daughters wait for some occurrence that would reveal to them the truth in regard to their father, resolute in their minds to stand up bravely by his side, let what would come, and forget themselves in their efforts to sustain him. They were not kept long in suspense. CHAPTER XII. LIGHT IN DARKNESS.