His verdict was sufficiently grave: John was suffering from a sharp access of brain-fever; his condition afforded cause for alarm; he could not answer for any turn his sickness might take.

You will easily imagine how much this intelligence affected me; and Mrs.Temple and Constance shared my anxiety and solicitude.

Constance and I talked much with one another that morning.

Unaffected anxiety had largely removed her reserve, and she spoke openly of her feelings towards my brother, not concealing her partiality for him.

I on my part let her understand how welcome to me would be any union between her and John, and how sincerely I should value her as a sister.
It was a wild winter's morning, with some snow falling and a high wind.
The house was in the disordered condition which is generally observable on the day following a ball or other important festivity.