She was constitutionally subject to asthma, and, having warnings of the return of the malady, she was (by the doctor's advice) keeping her room.
Hardyman returned to the farm in a temper which was felt by everybody in his employment, from the trainer to the stable-boys.
While the apology made for Miss Pink stated no more than the plain truth, it must be confessed that Hardyman was right in declining to be satisfied with Isabel's excuse for the melancholy that oppressed her.
She had that morning received Moody's answer to the lines which she had addressed to him at the end of her aunt's letter; and she had not yet recovered from the effect which it had produced on her spirits.
"It is impossible for me to say honestly that I am not distressed (Moody wrote) by the news of your marriage engagement.

The blow has fallen very heavily on me.

When I look at the future now, I see only a dreary blank.
This is not your fault--you are in no way to blame.

I remember the time when I should have been too angry to own this--when I might have said or done things which I should have bitterly repented afterwards.

That time is past.