At first it showed itself by weariness.

She would have an attack of want of breath, when she was forced to drop her thread, and for a moment remain with her eyes half closed, seeing nothing, although apparently looking straight before her.
Then she left off eating, scarcely taking even a little milk; and she either hid her bread or gave it to the neighbours' chickens, that she need not make her parents anxious.

A physician having been called, found no acute disease, but considering her life too solitary, simply recommended a great deal of exercise.

It was like a gradual fading away of her whole being; a disappearing by slow degrees, an obliterating of her physique from its immaterial beauty.

Her form floated like the swaying of two great wings; a strong light seemed to come from her thin face, where the soul was burning.