Kate will sit there a little.' 'You look very poorly yourself.

It must be very trying for you.' 'I don't feel it,' Emma said, with a pale smile.

'She gives no trouble.
It's only her weakness now; the pain has almost gone.' 'But then she must be getting better.' Emma shook her head, looking aside.

As Alice kept silence, she continued: 'I was glad to hear you'd gone to see Richard.

He wouldn't--I was afraid he mightn't have time to get here for Christmas.' There was a question in the words, a timorously expectant question.
Emma had learnt the sad lesson of hope deferred, always to meet discouragement halfway.