Why did you come, and where is--" The name was lost to 'Lina, and muttering to herself: "It does not sound much like a man and wife," she rather unwillingly quitted her position, and Hugh was really alone with Adah.
Never was Hugh in so awkward a position before, or so uncertain how to act.

The sight of that sobbing, trembling wretched creature, whose heart he had helped to crush, had perfectly unmanned him, making him almost as much a woman as herself.
"Oh, what made you?
Why didn't you save me ?" she said, looking up to him with an expression of reproach.
He had no excuse.

He knew how innocent she was, and he held her in his arms as he would once have held the Golden Haired, had she come to him with a tale of woe.
"Let me see that letter again," he said.
She gave it to him; and he read once more the cruel lines, in which there was still much of love for the poor thing, to whom they were addressed.
"You will surely find friends who will care for you, until the time when I may come to really make you mine." Hugh repeated these words twice, aloud, his heart throbbing with the noble resolve, that the confidence she had placed in him by coming there, should not be abused, for he would be true to the trust, and care for the poor, little, half-crazed Adah, moaning so piteously beside him, and as he read the last line, saying eagerly: "He speaks of coming back.

Do you think he ever will?
or could I find him if I should try?
I thought of starting once, but it was so far; and there was Willie.

Oh, if he could see Willie! Mr.Worthington, do you believe he loves me one bit ?" Hugh said at last, that the letter contained many assurances of affection.
"It seems family pride has something to do with it.