She knew that my words were vain and idle, and had no root in my belief; as well as I did myself.
"I was very thankful when Medlicott came in with Madame's breakfast, and gave me an excuse for leaving.
"But I think that conversation made me feel more anxious and impatient than ever.

I felt almost pledged to Madame de Crequy for the fulfilment of the vision I had held out.

She had taken entirely to her bed by this time: not from illness, but because she had no hope within her to stir her up to the effort of dressing.

In the same way she hardly cared for food.

She had no appetite,--why eat to prolong a life of despair?
But she let Medlicott feed her, sooner than take the trouble of resisting.
"And so it went on,--for weeks, months--I could hardly count the time, it seemed so long.