Tired with her vigils of the previous night, Ethie was lying down, but she bade Mrs.Pry come in, and then kept very quiet while the good woman proceeded to ask if she had heard the news.

Ethie had not, but her heart stood still while her visitor, speaking in a whisper, asked if she was sure Governor Markham could not hear.

That the news concerned herself Ethelyn was sure, and she was glad that her face was in a measure concealed from view as she listened to the story.
Governor Markham's wife was not dead, as they had supposed.

She was a shameless creature, who eight or ten years before eloped with a man a great deal younger than herself.

She was very beautiful, people said, and very fascinating, and the governor worshiped the ground she trod upon.