Having submitted to be the scapegoat of her father's sin, she bore her burden very calmly, and fulfilled the sacrifice without any outward mark of martyrdom.
She went about the work of the farm-house with a resolute active air that puzzled Mrs.Tadman, who had fully expected the young wife would play the fine lady, and leave all the drudgery of the household to her.

But it really seemed as if Ellen liked hard work.

She went from one task to another with an indefatigable industry, an energy that never gave way.
Only when the day's work in house and dairy was done did her depression of spirits become visible.

Then, indeed, when all was finished, and she sat down, neatly dressed for the afternoon, in the parlour with Mrs.
Tadman, it was easy to see how utterly hopeless and miserable this young wife was.

The pale fixed face, the listless hands clasped loosely in her lap, every attitude of the drooping figure, betrayed the joyless spirit, the broken heart.