He sat from morning to night looking at the empty fire-grate, and hardly ventured to speak of the ordeal that he had to undergo.
His lawyer was to call for him on the morning of the trial, and Mrs.Woodward was to be at the house soon after he had left it.
He had not yet seen her since the inquiry had commenced, and it was very plain that he did not wish to do so.

Mrs.Woodward was to be there and to remain till his fate had been decided, and then--Not a word had yet been said as to the chance of his not returning; but Mrs.Woodward was aware that he would probably be unable to do so, and felt, that if such should be the case, she could not leave her daughter alone.
And so Alaric and his wife sat down to breakfast on that last morning.

She had brought their boy down; but as she perceived that the child's presence did not please his father, he had been sent back to the nursery, and they were alone.

She poured out his tea for him, put bread upon his plate, and then sat down close beside him, endeavouring to persuade him to eat.

She had never yet found fault with him, she had never even ventured to give him counsel, but now she longed to entreat him to collect himself and take a man's part in the coming trial.