How sweet was the sunlight, how exhilarating the sense of freedom! Were not these following cheers the expression of popular approval and affection?
Was she not the heroine of the hour?
It was with a feeling of triumph that Laura reached her hotel, a scornful feeling of victory over society with its own weapons.
Mrs.Hawkins shared not at all in this feeling; she was broken with the disgrace and the long anxiety.
"Thank God, Laura," she said, "it is over.

Now we will go away from this hateful city.

Let us go home at once." "Mother," replied Laura, speaking with some tenderness, "I cannot go with you.

There, don't cry, I cannot go back to that life." Mrs.Hawkins was sobbing.

This was more cruel than anything else, for she had a dim notion of what it would be to leave Laura to herself.
"No, mother, you have been everything to me.