The sole idea that occurred to her, for she was utterly ignorant of her husband's business, was that some unexpected crisis in the borough had arisen, and its people were coming to Roland Sefton as their leading townsman.

When Phebe found her she was quietly studying the crowd and its various features, that she might describe a throng from memory, whenever a need should arise for it.
Felicita regained her luxurious little study, and sat down before her desk, on which the new volumes lay, with more outward calm than her face and movements had manifested before she left it.

The transient glow of triumph had died away from her face, and the happy tears from her eyes.

She closed the casement to shut out the bright, clear sunlight, and the merry voices of her children, before she sat down to think.
For a little while she had been burning incense to herself; but the treacherous fire was gone out, and the sweet, bewildering, intoxicating vapors were scattered to the winds.

The recollection of her short-lived folly made her shiver as if a cold breath had passed over her.
Not for a moment did she doubt Roland's guilt.