His hand upon the lock aroused her from the waking dream into which she had fallen.

As she arose, her manner began to change, and, ere she had reached the door, the quicker flowing blood was restoring the color to her cheeks.

She had passed through a long and severe struggle; and woman's virtue, aided by woman's pride and will, had conquered.
Mrs.Dexter spoke to her husband cheerfully as he came in, and met his steady, searching look without a sign of confusion.

He was at fault.

Yet not deceived.
"Are you better ?" he asked.
"Much better," she replied; and turning from him, went on with the arrangement of her toilet, which had been suspended from the period of her husband's absence, until his return.