He brooded on it, and spoke of it, and got back to it from every other topic, in a way that distressed Lady Bassett unspeakably.

She consoled him bravely; but often, when she was alone, her gentle courage gave way, and she cried bitterly to herself.
Her distress had one effect she little expected; it completed what her invariable kindness had begun, and actually won the heart of a servant.
Those who really know that tribe will agree with me that this was a marvelous conquest.

Yet so it was; Mary Wells conceived for her a real affection, and showed it by unremitting attention, and a soft and tender voice, that soothed Lady Bassett, and drew many a silent but grateful glance from her dove-like eyes.
Mary listened, and heard enough to blame Sir Charles for his peevishness, and she began to throw out little expressions of dissatisfaction at him; but these were so promptly discouraged by the faithful wife that she drew in again and avoided that line.

But one day, coming softly as a cat, she heard Sir Charles and Lady Bassett talking over their calamity.

Sir Charles was saying that it was Heaven's curse; that all the poor people in the village had children; that Richard Bassett's weak, puny little wife had brought him an heir, and was about to make him a parent again; he alone was marked out and doomed to be the last of his race.