'They too are on the watch,' she thought to herself, bitterly.

The strong reticent nature was outraged by the perception that she had been for days the unconscious actor in a drama of which her sisters and Mrs.Thornburgh had been the silent and intelligent spectators.
She came down presently from her room, very white and quiet; admitted that she was tired, and said nothing to anybody.

Agnes and Rose noticed the change at once, whispered to each other when they found an opportunity, and foreboded ill.
After their tea-supper, Catherine, unperceived, slipped out of the little lane gate, and climbed the stony path above the house leading on to the fell.

The rain had ceased but the clouds hung low and threatening, and the close air was saturated with moisture.

As she gained the bare fell, sounds of water met her on all sides.