During the first half hour of her reflections she had been relieved by his absence; she had even believed that he had met Demorest in the town, and was not alarmed by it, for she knew that the latter would avoid any further confidence, and cut short any return to it.

But why had not Edward returned?
For an instant the terrible thought that something had happened, and that they might both return together, took possession of her, and she trembled.

But no; Demorest, who had already taken such extreme measures, could not consistently listen to any suggestion for delay.

As her only danger lay in Demorest's presence, the absence of her husband caused her more undefinable uneasiness than actual alarm.
The room had become cold with the dying out of the dining-room fire that warmed the drum.

She would go to bed.