Her first thought was to turn and flee, not because she was frightened of what he would do, but because she did not wish to hear what he would say.

She shrank from the uprolling of the curtain of the last thirteen years, from the grim exposure of the nakedness of their life together.

Her indolent nature in repose wanted the dust of existence swept into a corner out of sight; yet when she was roused, and there were no corners into which the dust could be swept, she could be as bold as any better woman.
She hesitated till it was too late to go, and then as he entered the house from the staring sunlight and the peace of the morning, she straightened herself, and a sulky, stubborn look came into her eyes.

He might try to kill her, but she had seen death in many forms far away in Spain, and she would not be afraid till there was cause.

Imagination would not take away her courage.