"Ah, child, this is dreadful!" he added.

"I am not myself! Poor Irene! Poor daughter! Poor father!" And the old man lost himself again.
A look of fear now shadowed darkly the face of Irene, and she glanced anxiously from her father's countenance to that of Rose.

She did not read in the face of her young friend much that gave assurance or comfort.
"Mr.Delancy," said Rose, with great earnestness of manner, "Irene is in sore trouble.

She has come to a great crisis in her life.

You are older and wiser than she is, and must counsel and sustain her.
Be calm, dear sir--calm, clear-seeing, wise and considerate, as you have always been." "Calm--clear-seeing--wise." Mr.Delancy repeated the words, as if endeavoring to grasp the rein of thought and get possession of himself again.
"Wise to counsel and strong to sustain," said Rose.