For a reaction like this Mr.
Howland was not prepared.

He was, in fact, utterly confounded.

Had there been the smallest sign of irresolution on the part of his wife--the nearest appearance of weakness in the will so suddenly opposed to his own--he would have known what to do.

But nothing of this was apparent, and he hesitated about advancing again to the contest, while there was so strong a doubt as to the issue.
For a long time Mr.Howland moved about the room, while his wife continued to sit, listening, at the window.
"Come, Esther," said the former, at length, in a voice greatly changed from its tone when he last spoke.

"You had better retire.