And what your lordship had told me.

It seemed as if the two things together were too much for her to face.

I watch over her day and night though I try to hide from her that I watch so close.

If she could be made to eat something, and to sleep, and not to break her little body to pieces with those dreadful fits of crying, there would be something to hold on to.
But I shall hold on to her, my lord, whether there is anything to hold on to or not." He knew she would hold on but as the weeks passed and she faithfully told him what record the days held he saw that in each she felt that she had less and less to grasp.

And then came a letter which plainly could not conceal ominous discouragement in the face of symptoms not to be denied--increasing weakness, even more rapid loss of weight, and less sleep and great exhaustion after the convulsions of grief.
"It couldn't go on and not bring on the worst.