That vast burden of toil which he had taken upon his shoulders it was now for her to bear.

She assumed the gigantic load; and naturally she staggered under it.

While he had lived, she had worked, indeed, with regularity and conscientiousness; but it was work made easy, made delicious, by his care, his forethought, his advice, and his infallibility.

The mere sound of his voice, asking her to sign a paper, had thrilled her; in such a presence she could have laboured gladly for ever.

But now there was a hideous change.