She had nerved herself to bear the worst, and I feared the revulsion of feeling would be too great.

As I stood there silently looking down at her drawn, haggard face, I felt she would not have had strength to bear a fresh trial.

If Susan had died Phoebe would not have long survived her.
'You are wrong,' I said, very gently.

'I have no bad news for you this morning.

The inflammation has diminished.