She crossed the room to her husband, and took his arm.

"In my state of fatigue, Herbert, I shall never get up our steep stairs, unless you help me." As they ascended the stairs together, Linley found that his wife had a reason of her own for leaving the drawing-room.
"I am quite weary enough to go to bed," she explained.

"But I wanted to speak to you first.

It's about Miss Westerfield.

(No, no, we needn't stop on the landing.) Do you know, I think I have found out what has altered our little governess so strangely--I seem to startle you ?" "No." "I am only astonished," Mrs.Linley resumed, "at my own stupidity in not having discovered it before.