She could think of nothing but what the judge had said, in speaking of Mrs.Linley.
A cruel reproof, and worse than cruel, a public reproof, administered to the generous friend, the true wife, the devoted mother--and for what?
For having been too ready to forgive the wretch who had taken her husband from her, and had repaid a hundred acts of kindness by unpardonable ingratitude.
She fell on her knees; she tried wildly to pray for inspiration that should tell her what to do.

"Oh, God, how can I give that woman back the happiness of which I have robbed her!" The composing influence of prayer on a troubled mind was something that she had heard of.

It was not something that she experienced now.

An overpowering impatience to make the speediest and completest atonement possessed her.

Must she wait till Herbert Linley no longer concealed that he was weary of her, and cast her off?
No! It should be her own act that parted them, and that did it at once.