What more natural than for him to have come on Christmas Eve?
She approached Alice with a wistful look, not venturing to utter any question, only hoping that some good news might have been brought her.
Long watching in the sick room had given her own complexion the tint of ill-health; her eyelids were swollen and heavy; the brown hair upon her temples seemed to droop in languor.

You would have noticed that her tread was very soft, as if she still were moving in the room above.
'How's Jane ?' Alice began by asking.

She could not quite look the other in the face, and did not know how to begin her disclosure.
'No better,' Emma gave answer, shaking her head.

Her voice, too, was suppressed; it was weeks since she had spoken otherwise.
'I am so sorry, Emma.

Are you in a hurry to go up again ?' 'No.