But then she remembered that it had met with sympathy already--not much in words, but in tone and look and action--from the one unfailing friend of her whole life.

Maurice knew--Maurice did not contemn her--there was a little humiliation in the thought, but more sweetness.

She went over the whole scene in the chapel, and for the first time there came into her mind a sense of the inexpressible tenderness which had soothed her as she sat there half stupefied.
"Dear Maurice!" she said to herself, and then as her recollection grew more vivid, a sudden shame seized her--neck and arms and brow were crimson in a moment, with the shock of the new idea--and she sprang up and began to dress, in hopes to escape from it by motion.
But before she was ready to leave the room her sorrow had come back, too strong and bitter to leave place for other thoughts.

The vivid hope of Percy's faithful recollection enduring at least for a year, had come to give her strength and courage in the very time when her youthful energies had almost broken down under the weight of so many troubles; it had been a kind of prop on which she leaned through her last partings and anxieties, and which seemed to be the very foundation of her recent content.

To have it struck away from her suddenly, left her helpless and confused; her own natural forces, or the support of others, might presently supply its place, but for the moment she did not know where to look to satisfy the terrible want.
She went out, however, to face her small world, with what resolution she could muster, and was not a little glad that the dim light would save her looks from any close scrutiny.
Lady Dighton had been paying a long visit to Mrs.Costello, and the two perfectly understood each other.