It was a mean dwelling, fit only for labouring folk; the red blind irritated her sight, and she had to turn away from it.
What a hope had come to her of a sudden last autumn! How recklessly she had indulged it, and how the disappointment rankled! A disappointment which she could not accept with the resignation due to fate.

At first she had done so; but then a singular surmise crept into her thoughts--a suspicion which came she knew not whence--and thereafter was no rest from fantastic suggestions.

Her surmise did not remain baseless; evidence of undeniable strength came to its support, yet all was so vague--so unserviceable.
She opened the printed sheets that Quarrier had given her and for a few minutes read with interest.

Then her eyes and thoughts wandered.
Her servant knocked and entered, asking if she should remove the supper-tray.

In looking up at the girl, Mrs.Wade noticed red eyes and other traces of weeping.
"What is the matter ?" she asked, sharply.