She was doing her best to look at her ease, but her face bore the marks of tears.

Rowland told her that he was afraid she was ill, and that if she preferred to give up the visit to Florence he would submit with what grace he might.
She hesitated a moment, and then said she preferred to adhere to their plan.

"I am not well," she presently added, "but it 's a moral malady, and in such cases I consider your company beneficial." "But if I am to be your doctor," said Rowland, "you must tell me how your illness began." "I can tell you very little.

It began with Mrs.Hudson being unjust to me, for the first time in her life.

And now I am already better!" I mention this incident because it confirmed an impression of Rowland's from which he had derived a certain consolation.