That was the leading motive, the divinely spiritual one; but there were other motives, which, like tentacles, aided in drawing her will to the acceptance of a possible abnegation.

And through the watches of that sleepless night Jane Withersteen, in fear and sorrow and doubt, came finally to believe that if she must throw herself into Lassiter's arms to make him abide by "Thou shalt not kill!" she would yet do well.
In the morning she expected Lassiter at the usual hour, but she was not able to go at once to the court, so she sent little Fay.

Mrs.Larkin was ill and required attention.

It appeared that the mother, from the time of her arrival at Withersteen House, had relaxed and was slowly losing her hold on life.

Jane had believed that absence of worry and responsibility coupled with good nursing and comfort would mend Mrs.
Larkin's broken health.