Richards
Quote 1
He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram, and had hastened to forestall any less careful, less tender friend in bearing the sad message. (2)
The overwhelming sense of Richards here is someone in a hurry. He got to Mrs. Mallard as soon as he could when he heard about Mr. Mallard's death. All the negative words here ("only," "forestall," "less careful, "less tender") seem to emphasize how quickly Richards hoped to arrive at the Mallard home.