She felt that, hard as it was to live with that secret, to hear Mutimer repeat his calumnies would involve her in yet worse anguish, leading perhaps to terrible things; for, on her return to the house that night, she suffered a revelation of herself, which held her almost mute for the following days.

In her heart there fought passions of which she had not known herself capable; above all a scorn so fierce, that had she but opened her lips it must have uttered itself.

That she lived down by the aid of many strange expedients; but she formed a purpose, which seemed indeed nothing less than a duty, to use the opportunity of her first visit to London to seek for means of helping Emma Vine and her sister.

Her long illness had not weakened this resolve; but now that she was in London the difficulties of carrying it out proved insuperable.

She had always imagined herself procuring the services of some agent, but what agent was at hand?
She might go herself to the address she had noted, but it was to incur a danger too great even for the end in view.