But the doctor staid so long that Mrs.Abigail made up her mind it must be somebody four or five miles away, and so dismissed the matter from her mind.

For August's return had been kept secret.
But Julia noticed, in her heart of hearts, and with ever-increasing affliction, that the doctor staid longer each day than on the day before, and she thought she noticed also an increasing anxiety on his face as he rode home again.

Her desire to know the real truth, and to see August, to do for him, to give her life for him, were wearing her away.

It is hard to see a friend go from you when you have done everything.

But to have a friend die within your reach, while you are yet unable to help him, is the saddest of all.