Marriage with a worthy man must often have been salvation to a rudderless life; for was it not the _ceremony_ which, after all, constituted the exclusive sanction?
Mutimer, it was true, fell sadly short of her ideal of goodness.

He was an unbeliever.

But might not this very circumstance involve a duty?
As his wife, could she not plead with him and bring him to the truth?
Would not that be _loving_ him, to make his spiritual good the end of her existence?
It was as though a great light shot athwart her darkness.
She raised herself in bed, and, as if with her very hands, clung to the inspiration which had been granted her.

The light was not abiding, but something of radiance lingered, and that must stead her.
Her brother returned to Belwick next morning after an early breakfast.
He was in his wonted high spirits, and talked with much satisfaction of the acquaintances he had made on the previous day, while Adela waited upon him.

Mrs.Waltham only appeared as he was setting off.
Adela sat almost in silence whilst her mother breakfasted.
'You don't look well, dear ?' said the latter, coming to the little room upstairs soon after the meal.
'Yes, I am well, mother.