Had it been her fault?
What safeguard had she herself neglected?
Wherein had she been false to her trust and her promise to her dying father?
What could she have done to avert it?
These ever-haunting, ever-recurring doubts maddened her.
One thing she was determined upon, cost what it might--to protect her sister's name.

No daughter of Morton Cobden's should be pointed at in scorn.

For generations no stain of dishonor had tarnished the family name.

This must be preserved, no matter who suffered.

In this she was sustained by Martha, her only confidante.
Doctor John heard the news from Jane's lips before it was known to the villagers.