Was the tribute of his grief for the husband sternly suppressed under the expression of his anxiety for the wife?
The nature of the man, unpliably antagonistic to the world and the world's customs, might justify some such interpretation of his conduct as this.

He repeated his question, "Is she better, or worse ?" Miss Garth answered him: "No better; if there is any change, it is a change for the worse." They spoke those words at the window of the morning-room which opened on the garden.

Mr.Clare paused, after hearing the reply to his inquiry, stepped out on to the walk, then turned on a sudden, and spoke again: "Has the doctor given her up ?" he asked.
"He has not concealed from us that she is in danger.

We can only pray for her." The old man laid his hand on Miss Garth's arm as she answered him, and looked her attentively in the face.
"You believe in prayer ?" he said.
Miss Garth drew sorrowfully back from him.
"You might have spared me that question sir, at such a time as this." He took no notice of her answer; his eyes were still fastened on her face.
"Pray!" he said.

"Pray as you never prayed before, for the preservation of Mrs.Vanstone's life." He left her.