Not with any affection did she think of him, but, in her despairing moments, it seemed to her impossible that he should still refuse aid if she appealed to him for it.

Several times of late she had been on the point of putting her conviction to the test.

She had passed his house from time to time, and knew that he still lived there.
Perhaps the real reason of her hesitation was, not fear of him, but a dread, which she would not confess to herself, lest he should indeed prove obdurate, and so put an end to her last hope.

For what would become of her and of Ida if her health absolutely failed?
The poor creature shrank from the thought in horror.

The hope connected with her father grew more and more strong.