It was time to lay aside books for a little; the fated scheme of her existence required at this point new experiences.
The student's habit does not readily reconcile itself to demands for practical energy and endurance, and when the first strain of fear-stricken love was relaxed, Annabel fell for a few days into grievous weakness of despondency; summoned from her study to all the miseries of a sick-room, it was mere nervous force that failed her.
When her father had his relapse, she was able to face the demand upon her more sternly.

But the trial through which she was passing was a severe one.

With the invalid she could keep a bright face, and make her presence, as ever, a blessing to him.

Alone, she cared no longer for her books, nor for the beauty that was about her home.

You remember that passage in her letter to Egremont: 'The world seems to me very dark, and life a dreadful penalty.' She could have uttered much on that text to one from whom she had had no secret.
One day, when Mr.Newthorpe was again recovering strength, there came a letter from Mrs.Tyrrell which announced the date of Paula's marriage.
Annabel received the letter to read.