"Carson what has happened to Pap?" Mary asked urgently.
"I'm afraid you should see for yourself."
"Carson, I demand you tell me at once!"
"His Lordship had a stroke…"
Before Carson could even finish his words Mary raced up the stairs to her father's bedroom. When she walked in she saw Cora and Sybil crying in each other's arms while Edith cried by herself in the corner. She looked at her father who lie motionless on his bed.
"Oh Papa!" Mary sobbed, "Wake up Papa! Wake up!" She yelled. It was no use.
Matthew took his arms and wrapped them around Mary; he knew that at the moment all she needed was comfort and support.
"He was fine this morning." Mary cried into Matthew's chest.
"My darling I'm so sorry." A few tears fell from Matthew's eyes as he did his best to stay strong for Mary. He knew how painful it was to lose someone so close to you. It broke his heart seeing Mary, a woman usually very strong, at her lowest point.
Isis, his Lordships dog stayed at his master's bed side licking his hand. He brought a tennis ball over and placed it in Robert's hand. The ball dropped to the floor and the dog whined.
The Earl of Grantham was dead. Matthew had only met the man a few short days before yet he felt as though they had been quite close. Edith walked over to her father's bedside and noticed a piece of paper clutched in his hand. She grabbed it and opened it up.
"Matthew" Edith said, "You are now the Earl of Grantham."