She passed the limit which separates perfect sanity from mania.

She had some fancy-work in her hands.

Mrs.White had suggested that she work in cross-stitch a cover for the dresser in her new mother's room, and she was engaged upon that, performing, as she thought, a duty, but her very soul rebelled against it.

She made some mistakes, and whenever she did she realized with a sort of wicked glee that the thing would not be perfect, and she never tried to rectify them.
Finally, Maria laid her work softly on the table, beside which she was sitting.

She glanced at Mrs.Addix, whose heavy, measured breathing filled the room, then she arose.