As she read Jane's face grew suddenly pale.
"What is it ?" Martha asked in a trembling voice.
For some minutes Jane sat staring into space, her hand pressed to her side.

She looked like one who had received a death message.

Then, without a word, she handed the letter to Martha.
The old woman adjusted her glasses, read the missive to the end without comment, and laid it back on Jane's lap.

The writing covered but part of the page, and announced Lucy's coming marriage with a Frenchman: "A man of distinction; some years older than myself, and of ample means.
He fell in love with me at Aix." There are certain crises in life with conclusions so evident that no spoken word can add to their clearness.

There is no need of comment; neither is there room for doubt.