Mr.Smales himself was always depressed in mind and ailing in body.

Life had proved too much for him; the burden of the recurring daylight was beyond his strength.

There was plainly no lack of kindliness in his disposition, and this never failed to come strongly into his countenance as often as he looked at Harriet.

She was his only child.

Her mother had died of consumption early in their married life, and it was his perpetual dread lest he should discover in Harriet a disposition to the same malady.
His fears had but too much stimulus to keep them alive.