To pretend that he was making a quick return to health was so very far from the truth.

She, herself, saw little change for the better from day to day; indeed, his large, proud eyes seemed to grow more anxious and haggard as the time went on.
Mrs.Cricklander donned her most suitably ravishing tea-gown, one of subdued simplicity--and, like a beautiful summer flower, she swept into the invalid's room when the lowered sun blinds made the light restful and the June roses filled the air with scent.

It was the end of the month and glorious weather was over the land.
Nothing could have been more exquisite than Cecilia's sympathy.

Indeed, she did feel a good deal moved, and was a superb actress at all times.
She only stayed a very short while, not to tire him, and John Derringham, left alone, was conscious that he had been soothed and pleased, and she departed leaving the impression that her love for him was only kept within bounds by fear for his health! She had suffered _so_ during all the days! she told him, she could hardly eat or sleep.

And then to be debarred from nursing him!--the cruelty of it! Why the doctors should have thought her presence would be more disturbing than Arabella's, she could not think! And here she looked down, and her white hand, with its perfectly kept nails, lying upon the coverlet so near him, John Derringham lifted it in his feeble grasp and touched it with his lips.